Erdogan Meets UAE Vice President at Egypt Summit on Gaza Crisis

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has conducted a significant bilateral meeting with United Arab Emirates Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the international peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. According to an official statement from the Turkish Communications Directorate, the two leaders engaged in comprehensive discussions addressing bilateral relations and evolving regional dynamics alongside global developments during their Monday encounter.

President Erdogan emphasized that the strengthening political relationship between Türkiye and the UAE has substantially facilitated expanded cooperation in trade and investment sectors. The Turkish leader noted both nations are actively pursuing opportunities to advance collaborative initiatives across additional domains, with particular focus on defense industry partnerships. The meeting reflects continuing normalization and deepening engagement between the two regional powers following years of diplomatic tension.

Addressing the ongoing situation in Gaza, President Erdogan characterized Türkiye's diplomatic efforts as focused on terminating what he described as "ongoing genocide" while noting the emergence of a "window of opportunity for lasting peace" requiring careful utilization. He stressed the critical importance of complete implementation of the ceasefire agreement, ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian assistance delivery to Gaza's civilian population, and immediately initiating reconstruction efforts throughout the devastated territory.

The high-level meeting occurred alongside the commencement of Palestinian prisoner releases from Israeli detention facilities Monday, following Hamas's liberation of all 20 surviving Israeli captives held in Gaza as stipulated in last week's war-termination agreement. The prisoner-hostage exchange represents the initial implementation phase of the US-brokered ceasefire arrangement, establishing the foundation for subsequent diplomatic processes addressing Gaza's governance, security arrangements, and reconstruction.