Egyptian top diplomat in Türkiye for Gaza talks

ANKARA

In line with the intensified efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a visit to Türkiye on April 20.

Addressing a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart in Istanbul, Fidan said the Palestine issue may trigger global issues, adding: “Cooperation between Egypt and Türkiye is extremely beneficial for our peoples and region.”

The visit comes as all relevant actors are exerting efforts to defuse the tension in the Middle East after Iran and Israel have hit each other. The escalation in the region worries the international community that it may lead to a regional war and cast a big shadow on the ongoing humanitarian tragedy the Palestinian civilians are suffering in Gaza.

"If this crisis is not resolved properly, if Palestinians are not given the state, independence, and sovereignty they deserve, such crises will continue to escalate in our region," Fidan said.

Fidan was in Qatar to hold talks with both Qatari officials and Hamas leaders to resolve the hurdles in front of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In Istanbul, Fidan and Shoukry are expected to advance these talks given the fact that Hamas’ leader Ismael Haniyeh will also be in Türkiye at the same time.

Fidan and Shoukry also discussed the bilateral ties as Egypt President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is expected to pay an official visit to Türkiye in the coming weeks upon the invitation of Erdoğan, who was in Cairo in February.

Türkiye and Egypt will realize a high-level strategic council meeting during el-Sissi's visit in order to boost the ties in all fields, including economy, energy, trade, investments and transportation.