Egypt and Türkiye reaffirmed their commitment to stronger bilateral relations and regional stability during high-level consultations between their foreign ministers in Ankara. The talks, marking the centennial of diplomatic ties between the two nations, focused on economic cooperation, the Gaza crisis, and broader Middle East peace efforts. Boosting Bilateral Trade and Investment Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdel-Atty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fida expressed satisfaction with the growing momentum in Egypt-Türkiye relations, aligning with the outcomes of their 2024 High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting. Bilateral trade surged to $8.8 billion in 2024, with both sides pledging to expand it to $15 billion through enhanced economic and industrial collaboration. They also committed to improving the investment climate to attract more private sector engagement. Backing Gaza Ceasefire, Two-State Solution Both ministers welcomed the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza, praising mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. They called for the full implementation of the truce and urged intensified international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and reconstruct Gaza without displacing Palestinians. The ministers also invited global donors to participate in Egypt's upcoming Gaza Reconstruction Conference to accelerate rebuilding efforts. They strongly rejected Israeli actions that undermine Palestinian rights, including settlement expansion, land annexation, and forced displacement. They also emphasised the critical role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees and urged Israel to reverse decisions that weaken the agency's operations. Reaffirming their commitment to regional stability, Egypt and Türkiye reiterated their support for a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital. The meeting underscored Egypt and Türkiye's deepening strategic ties and their shared vision for advancing peace and stability in the Middle East. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
