El-alamein: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy in El-Alamein, Egypt, on Thursday, according to Turkish diplomatic sources. The meeting, part of Fidan's two-day visit to Egypt, also included discussions with Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the head of Egypt's General Intelligence Service.
According to Anadolu Agency, Fidan's visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Turkey and Egypt. He is scheduled to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other senior officials to discuss several key issues. The agenda includes reviewing ongoing agreements, promoting mutual investment, and aiming to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion. Discussions will also cover cooperation in sectors such as hydrocarbons, electricity grid integration, energy infrastructure, and mining.
Fidan will explore ways to enhance existing military and defense industry cooperation and emphasize the importance of addressing regional issues through dialogue and diplomacy. His visit underscores Turkey's commitment to joint efforts both bilaterally and through multilateral platforms, such as the R4 initiative, which involves Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
As part of his visit, Fidan will co-chair the second meeting of the Turkey-Egypt Joint Planning Group with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. This meeting will review the outcomes of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council's second meeting held in Cairo in February and set the stage for a planned third meeting in Turkey in 2028.
The talks are set to address several regional issues, including the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Gaza, Syria, Libya, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Fidan will voice support for diplomatic efforts to restore a ceasefire between the US and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He will advocate for halting attacks in Gaza, fully implementing the ceasefire, and ensuring humanitarian aid delivery.
Further discussions will involve implementing the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan and addressing Israel's attacks on Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Fidan will also emphasize the need for continued efforts to secure stability in Libya while reaffirming Turkey's support for Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Additionally, he will share insights on the roles Turkey and Egypt can play in fostering peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.