Turkish-Egyptian relations at peak, Fidan says during visit

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared that the bilateral ties between Türkiye and Egypt have reached an "excellent level," driven by the mutual leadership of both nations' presidents. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty in El Alamein on Thursday, Fidan emphasized that the strengthening relationship is actively contributing to regional prosperity and stability. He underscored that Ankara and Cairo hold identical views regarding the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of neighboring Libya, signaling a robust convergence on critical security matters.

Economic and Military Cooperation Deepening

During his ongoing two-day diplomatic visit, Fidan revealed that both nations have reviewed the roadmap for the upcoming High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, which is scheduled to be hosted by Türkiye in 2028. Describing the economic dialogue as particularly productive, he expressed optimism about hitting the ambitious $15 billion bilateral trade target. A significant step forward includes the signing of an amendment to the free trade agreement, aimed at creating more favorable conditions for business communities. Furthermore, Egypt has joined a connectivity memorandum previously signed between Türkiye and several African nations, while military collaboration continues through reciprocal visits and joint exercises.

Addressing Gaza and Regional Crises

Highlighting a shared vision on nearly all regional issues, Fidan noted that Ankara and Cairo are maintaining high-level coordination regarding Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. Both nations are actively working to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-torn enclave. The minister warned that attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are severely threatening maritime security. Fidan stressed that Türkiye favors dialogue-based regional policies in the Eastern Mediterranean over confrontation, advocating for strengthened maritime cooperation that serves mutual interests.

The Mecca Alliance and Regional Ownership

Fidan described the recent Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan as a "historic moment" for regional cooperation. He argued that regional states must increasingly shoulder the responsibility for resolving their own conflicts instead of depending on external powers. Regarding Egypt's potential inclusion in the alliance, Fidan confirmed that Ankara has consulted Cairo from the start, adding, "Egypt is our natural partner. Hopefully it will soon become our official partner as well." He insisted the alliance is defensive in nature, stating it is “not against anyone” but focuses on mutual security and prosperity.

Critical Warning on Gaza Peace Process

In a sharp critique, Fidan warned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of genuine commitment to the peace agreement. He stated that while the Palestinian side has made significant sacrifices, Israel’s failure to meet its obligations during the transition to phase two could compel Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar to take radical steps. He urged the US to apply necessary pressure on Israel, cautioning that international isolation of Netanyahu’s government is growing. Fidan also addressed the crisis in Sudan, stressing that ending the war is essential to prevent refugee flows and security threats from spilling over to neighboring Egypt.