FM: Talks with Turkey focus on bilateral ties, regional developments

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed all issues related to bilateral ties and regional developments and challenges.

The minister’s remarks came on Saturday 18/03/2023 at a joint press conference held with Cavusoglu following their talks in Cairo.

Shoukry welcomed Cavusoglu, offering condolences over the victims of the recent deadly earthquake that hit Turkey.

The talks are part of efforts to restore normalizing ties between both countries in all domains, Shoukry added.

Shoukry extended thanks to his Turkish counterpart for the warm reception he received during his visit to Turkey last month.

“This is what we expect, especially in light of the fraternal ties binding the peoples of the two countries,” he added.

Shoukry described the Egyptian-Turkish ties as deeply-rooted, saying that he is delighted to launch consultations, which will contribute to the inauguration of the path of restoring normal ties between the two countries.

Talks with the Turkish foreign minister lasted for more than two hours, Shoukry said, noting that they discussed bilateral ties and regional issues.

Shourky, meanwhile, affirmed that there is a political will from the presidents of Egypt and Turkey to re-establish normal relations.

He also pointed out to the meeting which was held between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Qatar.

During the joint press conference, Shoukry affirmed keenness on holding constant coordination with his Turkish counterpart and opening channels of communication between the two countries’ governmental entities.

The diplomatic relations between the two countries were not suspended, Shoukry said, adding that there is a diplomatic representation for Egypt in Ankara and Turkey representation in Cairo.

Shourky further said that he discussed with his Turkish counterpart ways to upgrade diplomatic relations to ambassador level.

Egypt and Turkey share common viewpoints as regards several issues, he added

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu expressed hope that the two sides would continue to exchange visits in the future, inviting Shoukry, who paid a trip to Turkey last month, to visit his country again soon.

He also thanked Egypt for sending urgent relief aid to Turkey in solidarity with the Turkish people in the aftermath of the disastrously earthquake that hit the country on February 6.

The Turkish diplomat said Shoukry was one of the first senior officials to visit the quake-hit country to show solidarity, citing also President Sisi’s phone call with his Turkish counterpart to extend condolences over earthquake victims.

Describing the Egyptian-Turkish relations as strong, even during periods of political impasse, Cavusoglu said efforts and under way to facilitate a meeting between the leaders of both countries.

Cavusoglu also commended Egypt for its “great” role in many regional issues, including the Palestinian cause, highlighting the urgent need to work for bolstering bilateral ties to serve the interests of the Egyptian and Turkish peoples, and the region as whole.

The Turkish foreign minister said today’s talks covered a raft of regional issues related to the situation in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Somalia.

Affirming the importance of boosting parliamentary and trade cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, Cavusoglu revealed plans to promote cooperation between relevant ministries and authorities in both countries during the days to come.

He also underscored the need to promote cooperation in the tourism industry, voicing hope that the Turkish Cultural Center in Alexandria will reopen soon.

Responding to a question about his country’s vision for normalizing relations with Egypt, as well as the steps to take in this regard, Cavusoglu said today’s talks with Shoukry had tackled how to improve bilateral ties and the areas of interest.

The talks have covered energy cooperation, the Turkish minister said.

He said his country is working for cementing cooperation in all domains, from politics to education, emphasizing the importance of a shared political will and determination.

For his part, Shoukry voiced Egypt’s strong desire to restore confidence at the political and economic levels, hoping that investors would be more interested in making the best use the growing bilateral trade after resuming diplomatic relations.

Citing Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli’s meeting with a delegation of 14 representatives of Turkish companies last month, Shoukry touched upon the Egyptian government’s efforts to remove any obstacles facing Turkish investors, restore economic ties, and resume the activities of joint business councils, and communication channels between relevant officials and chambers of commerce.

Shoukry said the recent breakthrough rapprochement agreement to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran was also prominent among the regional and international files covered by today’s talks with his Turkish counterpart.

Cooperation for dealing with common challenges, combating terrorism, stabilizing the region, and enhancing the two countries’ abilities to work together for resolving ongoing problems also figured high on the talks agenda, Shoukry pointed out.

The talks also dealt with the Russian-Ukrainian crisis and its economic fallout at the regional as well as international levels, Shoukry said.

Speaking about the Palestinian issue, Cavusoglu said, “We are working for preventing any unrest in Palestine,” especially during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, expected to start later this week.

“We agreed to unite together to reinforce any efforts to that end,” added the Turkish diplomat.

“We also discussed coordination for arranging a meeting between the Egyptian and Turkish presidents soon,” Cavusoglu said, noting that the talks also covered the possibility of exchanging visits between intelligence officials in both countries.

Cavusoglu also revealed Ankara’s plan to hold a summit with Cairo, either before or after the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey, scheduled for May.

“Preparations are already under way for this summit,” the Turkish foreign minister said, welcoming the resumption of diplomatic relations after nearly a decade-long hiatus.

SIS