Erdoğan in Egypt: “We will collaborate with our Egyptian brothers to stop the bloodshed in Gaza”
After a hiatus of 12 years, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Cairo and met with Egyptian President Abdulfettah el-Sisi. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated, “We will continue to collaborate and show solidarity with our Egyptian brothers to stop the bloodshed in Gaza.”
Sisi and Erdoğan signed the Joint Declaration on the Restructuring of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meetings, which is seen as a sign of a new era in Ankara-Cairo relations. The two leaders spoke at a joint press conference held at the Ittihadiye Palace after bilateral and inter-delegation meetings.
SISI: WE ARE OPENING A NEW PAGE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
Speaking at the press conference, Egyptian leader Sisi said, “Egypt and Turkey can achieve very good results on the Gaza issue by joining hands.”
Sisi said the following; “I agree with the President of Turkey on the immediate establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza and the calming of tensions in the West Bank. We aim to achieve the $15 billion trade target with Turkey in the near future,” adding, “I eagerly await President Erdoğan’s response to the invitation to visit Turkey in April.” Sisi used the phrase, “We are opening a new page between the two countries.”
ERDOGAN: WE WILL COLLABORATE WITH OUR EGYPTIAN BROTHERS TO STOP THE BLOODSHED IN GAZA
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also stated, “We will continue to collaborate with our Egyptian brothers to stop the bloodshed in Gaza.” Here are the highlights of President Erdoğan’s speech:
“In our consultations today (Turkey-Egypt), we agreed to increase the trade volume to $15 billion in a short period of time. Egypt is making significant investments in the defense sector. I believe we will develop joint projects by forming a strong alliance with Egypt.
Establishing a ceasefire as soon as possible and ensuring the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza are our priorities. Attempts to expel the people of Gaza from their lands are null and void. The depopulation of Gaza is unacceptable in any way. We will continue to collaborate with our Egyptian brothers to stop the bloodshed in Gaza. We are determined to increase our contacts with Egypt at all levels to establish peace and stability in our region.”
In the meantime, President Erdoğan invited Egyptian President Sisi to Turkey, stating that this visit would be a turning point in the relations between the two countries.
WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE NEAR PAST?
Relations between Ankara and Cairo had reached a breaking point after the military coup in Egypt in 2013, with both countries withdrawing their ambassadors. Erdoğan had been one of the world leaders most critical of the military coup in Egypt.
President Erdoğan has pursued policies aimed at reducing tensions with Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia since 2021.”
