Egyptian foreign minister visits Ankara for joint strategic meeting

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty will undertake an official visit to Türkiye on Wednesday to co-chair the inaugural session of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group alongside Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. The Ankara meeting represents a significant step in advancing bilateral relations and will coordinate preparations for next year's High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council session scheduled for Cairo under both countries' presidential leadership.

Strategic Framework and Economic Objectives

The Joint Planning Group operates within the framework established by a February 2024 joint declaration that created the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. During their discussions, the foreign ministers will comprehensively review bilateral relations spanning political, economic, commercial, and defense cooperation, with particular focus on elevating the two nations' trade volume to $15 billion and enhancing mutual investments across multiple sectors including transportation, connectivity, and energy.

Regional Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution

The diplomatic agenda includes substantial discussion of regional issues, with Fidan expected to emphasize full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and Türkiye's readiness to contribute to reconstruction efforts. The ministers will also address stability in Syria based on territorial integrity, support for Libya's independence and sovereignty, and express concern over Sudan's ongoing conflict while reaffirming support for that nation's unity and promoting dialogue for peaceful resolution.

Bilateral Relations Context and Future Engagements

Egypt maintains its position as Türkiye's primary African trade and export partner, with bilateral trade reaching $8.8 billion in 2024. The upcoming Joint Planning Group session follows Abdelatty's February visit to Türkiye and Fidan's trips to Egypt in August and October, the latter accompanying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza peace summit. The presidents of both nations are anticipated to convene in Cairo during 2026 for the second High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting, underscoring the continuing diplomatic momentum between the two regional powers.