Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt and Turkey hold political consultations in Cairo to strengthen bilateral ties, regional cooperation
Cairo, Egypt – In a positive step towards deepening bilateral relations, Egypt and Turkey held a round of political consultations in Cairo on Monday. The talks were led by Ambassador Wael Hamed, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, and Burhanettin Duran, Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place at Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the new administrative capital.
This round of consultations reflects the growing mutual interest in enhancing cooperation across various sectors, preparing for the first meeting of the Egypt-Turkey Joint Planning Group, which will be headed by the foreign ministers of both countries.
The discussions emphasized the immense regional and global significance of both Egypt and Turkey, touching upon joint efforts to address pressing international and regional issues.
The two sides explored avenues to boost economic ties, with plans to raise bilateral trade to $15 billion within the next five years. They also discussed encouraging greater Turkish investments in Egypt, particularly in textiles and home appliances, and expanding collaboration in areas such as energy, transportation, co-manufacturing, civil aviation, and cultural exchange.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the country's attractive environment for foreign investors, citing competitive incentives, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone. Plans are underway to form a working group under the Egyptian Cabinet to monitor Turkish investments. Discussions also included managing Egyptian labor movement to Turkey and ongoing negotiations over several bilateral agreements.
On regional and international affairs, both delegations exchanged views on current challenges in the Middle East, including the Iranian nuclear file and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Egypt briefed Turkey on its efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Gaza and plans for its reconstruction, as well as its positions on developments in Libya, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and Sudan.
Security in the Red Sea and its impact on navigation through the Suez Canal and global trade were also high on the agenda. The Turkish side praised Egypt's vital role in supporting stability across the region.
The meeting concluded with both countries agreeing to continue high-level visits and put their agreements into action, with the shared goal of further strengthening Egypt-Turkey relations and deepening coordination on key regional and international issues.