UPDATE - Türkiye, Egypt to forge stronger ties amid regional challenges, says Turkish foreign minister

UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE; DETAILS ADDED

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan underscored Friday Egypt's pivotal role in the conflict in the Gaza Strip and its contributions to humanitarian efforts.

"Egypt is a frontline country in the Palestinian issue, particularly in the Gaza problem. It is both a victim and a supporter in this matter," Fidan said at a news conference with Kosovo's Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz in Pristina.

He emphasized Egypt's significant role in delivering aid to Gaza during the opening of the Rafah border crossing and stressed the need for continued support for Egypt in addressing the Palestinian issue.

Fidan highlighted the strong commitment of Türkiye and Egypt to deepen bilateral and regional relations, stressing the mutual desire to unlock the full potential of the partnership.

"Egypt and Türkiye have a strong will to realize the full potential of both countries, both in bilateral relations and regional affairs," Fidan said in response to a reporter's question.

He added that formalizing the relationship "within a more systematic framework" could serve as a model for the region.

Fidan's remarks follow Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit Wednesday to the Turkish capital of Ankara.

The Turkish foreign minister also noted that on his visit to Egypt, he observed collaborative efforts between the Egyptian Red Crescent, the Turkish Red Crescent and Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) at the El-Arish Port.

"We need to provide a lot of support and assistance to Egypt, especially in the Palestinian issue. We should not leave them alone," he said.

Fidan also discussed broader regional cooperation, including stability in Africa, stating that Türkiye and Egypt are working together to address conflicts and promote stability in Libya, Somalia and Sudan, as well as exploring investment and trade opportunities across Africa.

- Sisi’s visit to Türkiye

Fidan described Sisi’s visit on Sept. 4 as "extraordinarily important" and noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a "historic visit" to Egypt in February.

"We really want to establish our relations on an institutional basis. There are extremely important and wide areas related to bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy, trade, transportation and investment. These agreements were realized within the framework of the vision of our leaders. The 17 agreements and the Joint Strategic Document signed by the leaders are also of a crowning nature," he said.

He highlighted the strong historical and brotherly ties between Egypt and Türkiye, emphasizing the importance of their cooperation in resolving regional issues.

Fidan noted that discussions with Egypt revealed a shared commitment to addressing regional challenges, with Sisi aligning with Türkiye’s approach to finding solutions.

-Türkiye-Kosovo relations

Fidan also praised "excellent" relations between Türkiye and Kosovo.

"Kosovars are not only our friends but also our brothers. We want to reflect the unshakable bonds between us in our bilateral relations in the best possible way," he said.

Fidan outlined plans to strengthen economic ties with a goal to boost trade volume to €1 billion and increase Turkish investments in Kosovo, currently valued at €500 million ($554 million).

He also reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to security and stability in Kosovo, emphasizing Ankara’s role in the UN KFOR mission and its support for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue.

Further, Fidan addressed counter-terrorism efforts, particularly regarding the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

"Unfortunately, the presence of FETO in Kosovo continues to concern us. I would like to remind you that FETO is also a threat to Kosovo. It is necessary to fight FETO decisively for Kosovo's security and prosperity," he said.

Additionally, Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s support for peace in Ukraine and Palestine, condemning the violence and urging diplomatic solutions.

He celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Kosovo Police Force and underscored the importance of recent agreements signed with Egypt during Sisi’s visit to Türkiye.

Fidan also highlighted the historic significance of the agreements in enhancing relations across various sectors.