FM: We aim to increase trade exchange between Egypt and Turkey to $15B

CAIRO – 13 August 2026: Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, affirmed that Egyptian-Turkish relations are based on solid foundations and a shared understanding of the importance of bilateral cooperation to achieve regional security, stability, and prosperity—especially amid the unprecedented challenges facing the region and the world.

The Foreign Minister made his remarks during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his accompanying delegation.

Welcoming his Turkish counterpart, Abdelatty emphasized that convening the Joint Planning Group reflects the shared political will to elevate bilateral relations to desired levels. He noted that the meeting serves to follow up on the outcomes of the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which was held in Cairo last February and co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Abdelatty stated that the discussions reaffirmed the critical role of Egyptian-Turkish cooperation in maintaining regional stability. He stressed the necessity of continuous consultation between both nations to serve the interests of the Egyptian and Turkish peoples while reinforcing regional and international security.

According to the Foreign Minister, the second meeting of the Joint Planning Group featured fruitful discussions among senior officials from both countries. He expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral cooperation through synchronized efforts between Egyptian and Turkish ministries and state institutions.

He highlighted the importance of strengthening communication channels between government institutions and the private sector in both countries, urging the development of clear action plans with specific timelines. This approach, he noted, will translate political will into tangible projects and practical results, solidifying Egyptian-Turkish cooperation as a successful model for regional partnership.

The Foreign Minister also acknowledged the participation of representatives from key Egyptian ministries and entities—including Electricity, Petroleum, and Health—praising their efforts in advancing various avenues of bilateral cooperation.

Regarding economic ties, Dr. Badr Abdelatty stated that the discussions covered the tangible progress achieved recently across multiple sectors. He noted that economic and trade relations have gained significant momentum, reflecting mutual trust between the two business communities.

The Foreign Minister welcomed the steady rise in bilateral trade, which has reached approximately $9 billion. He affirmed that Egypt and Turkey aspire to increase this figure to $15 billion over the next few years, backed by ongoing technical consultations to further advance trade and economic partnerships.

Concluding his remarks, Abdelatty emphasized that developing ties between Cairo and Ankara aims to convert existing political goodwill into practical cooperation and high-impact projects, ultimately benefiting both nations and fostering stability throughout the region.