Erdogan, Sisi meet to boost Turkish-Egypt ties

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss boosting economic and security ties between the two countries.

"Egypt remains Turkey’s largest trading partner in Africa,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference with Sisi on Wednesday. He added that the countries plan to boost maritime, energy and tourism ties, Turkey’s state-run Andalou News Agency reported.

The high-level meeting signaled warming diplomatic ties between Ankara and Cairo. In addition to meeting Sisi, Erdogan was scheduled to co-chair a strategic cooperation meeting and participate in the Turkey-Egypt Business Forum during the trip, the presidential office reported.

The forum, one of the largest business gatherings between the two nations, was attended by 200 Turkish executives and over 100 Egyptian business representatives.

Turkey and Egypt aim to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2028, up from $8.8 billion in 2024, with investments in trade, energy, defense, tourism and technology, Andalou Agency reported.

Ahead of the visit, Turkey’s presidential press office reported the visit would focus on Gaza and strengthening bilateral ties.

The Turkish president was joined by seven senior ministers, including Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkey’s presidential press office reported.

The Egypt visit is part of Erdogan’s regional tour this week, and followed a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, focused on increasing economic ties.