Ankara, Cairo agree to maximise diplomatic ties

Ankara and Cairo agreed to maximise the diplomatic relations that have been stalled after the 2013 army coup in Egypt, in keeping with Türkiye’s overseas minister.

“We agreed to maximise our diplomatic relations. We have evaluated what steps we will take in the next process. I invited him (Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry) to Ankara. I said that I wanted to host him, especially during the month of Ramadan,” Mevlut Cavusoglu instructed reporters.

Cavusoglu’s remarks got here after he met with Shoukry within the capital Cairo on Saturday, the place the 2 ministers mentioned bilateral relations and regional and worldwide points.

Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Egypt have been on the stage of expenses d’affaires on each side since Egypt’s 2013 army coup which overthrew the late President Mohammed Morsi.

Cavusoglu is the primary overseas minister to go to Egypt from Türkiye in 11 years.

About the appointment of ambassadors, Cavusoglu stated it was beforehand deliberate that if Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al Sisi obtained collectively, they might announce it.

“We were expecting the highest level of the announcement. If the (presidents’) meeting is delayed after the election (in Türkiye), we will consult again. We will decide on this soon. But we have already announced at the news conference that we have started this process,” he added.

After the Feb. 6 quakes in Türkiye, Shoukry visited the quake-hit Adana and Mersin provinces, and his go to to Türkiye was the primary by an Egyptian overseas minister in additional than a decade.

Meanwhile, al Sisi was among the many leaders who made a telephone name with Erdogan following the earthquakes, providing his condolences to the quake victims.

READ MORE: Ankara, Cairo to lift diplomatic ties to highest stage quickly: Turkish FM

Cavusoglu stated they’ve mentioned methods to develop bilateral relations and “discussed existing matters, issues to overcome.”

“We exchanged views, especially on regional issues. Then we held a meeting between delegations and discussed everything. In other words, we touched on all matters from energy, shipping, transportation to our companies, and investments here,” he stated, including that matters associated to “energy, logistics, education, and culture” have been additionally addressed.

Noting that the Egyptian facet needs Turkish corporations to extend their investments in Egypt, Cavusoglu stated the bilateral commerce quantity at present nears $10 billion.

On liquefied pure gasoline (LNG) imports, the Turkish minister stated the stability is in Egypt’s favor which Türkiye doesn’t complain about.

“We want to make a long-term LNG agreement. Because, thanks to our LNG terminals, we are currently exporting gas to southeast European countries and Balkan countries. Therefore, Egyptian gas can be exported to third countries via Türkiye,” he stated.

Regional issues

During the talks, the Turkish facet additionally proposed to determine a JETCO (Joint Economic and Trade Commission) mechanism between the 2 international locations as the latest assembly was held in 1996.

“On the other hand, we decided to expand our cooperation, especially in renewable energy and solar energy,” Cavusoglu added.

The Turkish overseas minister additional stated they’ve “openly and clearly” exchanged views on regional issues.

Citing the bilateral regional dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over an Ethiopian dam that would curtail Egypt’s share of the Nile River’s waters, Türkiye instructed it may play a mediator position because it has good ties with each Ethiopia and Sudan, in keeping with Cavusoglu.

“We discussed Libya in a little more detail. We agree that we are not rivals in Libya and that we should work together for the stability of Libya. We will intensify our consultations on this issue as well,” he famous. 

READ MORE: Egypt’s prime diplomat visits Türkiye in wake of devastating earthquakes

Source: AA