Ankara: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty affirmed that Egypt and Turkey share deep-rooted ties and a long history of brotherhood and cooperation aimed at promoting peace and stability across the region.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty noted that he held fruitful consultations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on a wide range of bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. During a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara, Abdelatty emphasized that the longstanding relations between Egypt and Turkey contribute to strengthening mutual understanding on numerous regional and international matters.

In light of the great importance attached by the leaderships of both countries to advancing cooperation, the two sides established the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Abdelatty extended condolences to Minister Fidan and the Turkish people over the victims of a recent military plane crash, offering sympathy to their families.

Abdelatty expressed appreciation for Minister Fidan's hospitality, noting his pleasure in visiting Turkey for the third time. He highlighted productive consultations with Turkish President Erdogan and Minister Fidan on various issues, including the first meeting of the Joint Planning Group aimed at elevating bilateral relations.

Abdelatty's visit coincides with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations. As a gesture of friendship, he presented Turkey with a replica of the statue of Egypt's King Amenhotep VI. He recalled the inaugural session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Ankara and expressed Egypt's aspiration to host the next session in Cairo.

Positive discussions were held during the first meeting of the Joint Planning Group, addressing key aspects of bilateral cooperation. Both sides aim to increase trade exchange to 15 billion dollars over the coming years and enhance Turkish investments in Egypt across various sectors.

The discussions also covered developments concerning the Palestinian issue. Abdelatty noted the success of Egyptian-Turkish-Qatari-US efforts in reaching the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Agreement to halt the war in Gaza. Both sides agreed on the importance of supporting the agreement, consolidating the ceasefire, and achieving a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

Abdelatty highlighted ongoing negotiations on a US Security Council resolution and invited his Turkish counterpart to the upcoming Cairo International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction of Gaza. The conference aims to mobilize support for the reconstruction of Gaza's infrastructure destroyed during the conflict.