El-alamein: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conducted a significant meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy in the coastal city of El-Alamein, Egypt, as reported by Turkish diplomatic sources. Fidan's agenda also included a meeting with Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the director of Egypt's General Intelligence Service, marking the onset of his two-day visit to the country.
According to TRTworld.com, the visit underscores a strategic effort to enhance bilateral relations between Turkey and Egypt. During his stay, Fidan is slated to meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi and other senior Egyptian officials. Discussions will center on strengthening bilateral ties, reviewing current agreements, and promoting mutual investments with an ambitious target of increasing the bilateral trade volume to $15 billion.
The Turkish foreign minister's agenda also includes discussions on cooperation in sectors such as hydrocarbons, electricity grid integration, energy infrastructure, and mining. He aims to explore opportunities to bolster existing collaborations in military and defense industries while emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy in addressing regional issues.
Fidan is expected to highlight Turkey's commitment to joint efforts both bilaterally and through multilateral platforms like the R4 initiative, which involves Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The visit will feature the second meeting of the Turkey-Egypt Joint Planning Group, co-chaired by Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, focusing on the outcomes of previous high-level meetings and preparing for future engagements.
The agenda also covers crucial regional topics, including the diplomatic efforts to restore the US-Iran ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Fidan will advocate for the cessation of ongoing attacks in Gaza, the full implementation of the ceasefire, and the continuous delivery of humanitarian aid.
The minister will exchange views on the Gaza Peace Plan and address issues concerning Israel's actions in Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. Discussions will also extend to ensuring stability in Libya, affirming Turkey's support for Sudan's sovereignty, and evaluating the roles Turkey and Egypt can play in achieving peace in the Eastern Mediterranean.