Abdelatty and Fidan discuss Gaza, Syria, and trade expansion in Ankara meeting

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan held consultations in Ankara on Tuesday, focusing on bilateral relations and key regional developments.

Marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Turkey in 2025, the ministers expressed satisfaction with growing bilateral relations, highlighting the $8.8 billion trade exchange in 2024. They pledged to enhance investment opportunities, increase trade to $15 billion, and boost industrial cooperation.

On regional matters, both sides welcomed the Gaza ceasefire, commended mediation efforts by Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar, and called for accelerated humanitarian aid and reconstruction without displacement of Palestinians. They also defended UNRWA's role and urged Israel to lift restrictions on the agency.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, stressing the need for an inclusive political process and the safe return of displaced Syrians. They also emphasized counterterrorism efforts and regional stability.

Addressing conflicts in Sudan and Libya, they expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and reiterated support for a UN-backed Libyan political solution. They also reaffirmed commitment to Somalia's sovereignty and stability.

Both ministers underscored the need to tackle terrorism globally, rejecting any support for extremist groups. They also reaffirmed commitment to a just and lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace based on the two-state solution, advocating for a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

President Erdoğan received Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty at the Presidential Complex.