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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Cairo on Wednesday for high-level talks aimed at strengthening relations between their countries and coordinating positions on major regional issues, with a strong focus on the war in Gaza. The meeting marked a significant step in the continued normalization and expansion of ties between Egypt and Türkiye after years of strained relations.
Following their closed-door discussions, the two leaders co-chaired the second session of the Egypt–Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. During the session, several cooperation agreements were signed, covering key sectors such as defense, trade, investment, energy, and tourism. According to the Egyptian presidency, these agreements are intended to deepen economic integration, enhance security cooperation, and open new opportunities for private sector engagement in both countries.
Both presidents emphasized their shared ambition to significantly boost bilateral trade. Current trade between Egypt and Türkiye stands at nearly nine billion U.S. dollars annually, and the two leaders agreed on a target of reaching fifteen billion dollars by the year 2028. They stressed that this goal would be achieved through increased investments, the removal of trade barriers, and closer coordination between business communities.
A major portion of the talks focused on the situation in the Gaza Strip. Egypt and Türkiye reaffirmed their support for the existing ceasefire plan and expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian civilians. The two leaders stressed the urgent need for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and called for uninterrupted humanitarian access to ensure the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other essential aid.
They also emphasized the importance of reopening the Rafah border crossing in both directions, describing it as a critical lifeline for Gaza’s population and a key route for humanitarian assistance and medical evacuations. In addition, both countries called for a comprehensive and well-coordinated reconstruction process to help rebuild homes, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.
On the political front, Egypt and Türkiye reiterated their firm support for a two-state solution. They stressed the necessity of launching a credible political process that would lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Both leaders underscored that lasting peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
Beyond Gaza, the talks addressed several other regional crises, including developments in Sudan, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, and the wider Horn of Africa. In each case, Egypt and Türkiye emphasized the importance of political dialogue, peaceful solutions, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. They rejected foreign interference that could further destabilize already fragile regions.
The two leaders also discussed security in the Red Sea, highlighting its strategic importance for global trade and regional stability. They underlined the need to protect maritime navigation and firmly rejected any attempts to establish military presences along the Red Sea coast that would violate international law or threaten regional balance.
The Cairo meeting reflected a growing alignment between Egypt and Türkiye on key regional and international issues. Both sides expressed optimism that enhanced cooperation and continued dialogue would contribute not only to stronger bilateral relations but also to greater stability across the Middle East and Africa.
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