Speaking at a joint press conference with President el-Sisi of Egypt, President Erdoğan said: “Egypt continues to be Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in Africa. We aim to increase our bilateral trade volume, which has remained in the 8-9 billion dollars range over the past three years, to 15 billion dollars.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt held a joint press conference following their tête-à-tête, the meeting between the delegations and the signing ceremony of agreements at Al-Ittihadyiya Palace.
“Egypt continues to be Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in Africa”
President Erdoğan said: “Egypt continues to be Türkiye’s biggest trade partner in Africa. We aim to increase our bilateral trade volume, which has remained in the 8-9 billion dollars range over the past three years, to 15 billion dollars. We are extremely happy that the Turkish firms’ investments in Egypt have neared 4 billion dollars. We will address opportunities for mutual investments and cooperation during the business forum, where we will meet with our business people. We want to develop joint projects in the areas of energy and transportation as well.”
“We disapprove of these attacks and violations aimed at sabotaging the Sharm El Sheikh declaration”
Underscoring that the main item on the mutual agenda of the two countries is the Palestinian cause, President Erdoğan drew attention to the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Gaza despite the established ceasefire, and stated: “Over 500 Gazans have lost their lives in the Israeli attacks since October 11. Our 30 brothers and sisters, including children, died a martyr’s death last week. We disapprove of these attacks and violations aimed at sabotaging the Sharm El Sheikh declaration. We are and will inshallah continue to work together with Egypt at the initiatives that will enable peace in Gaza. We will also do our best for the reconstruction of Gaza damaged by Israeli attacks.”
“We reject Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland”
Stressing that they have also discussed regional issues, Libya, Sudan and the Horn of Africa in particular, during today’s talks, President Erdoğan noted that it is their common goal with Egypt to preserve unity and solidarity in Libya for permanent stability, and added: “We reject Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, which is an attack on Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The steps for the future of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Somaliland region must be taken in a manner that will reflect the will of the entire Somalis.”
“Foreign interventions in Iran will pose significant risks to the entire region”
Further stating that the winner of a Syria, whose territorial integrity is preserved and political unity is established, will be the entire region, President Erdoğan went on to say: “We support the great transformation in Syria, and we are determined to maintain this support. We consider the statements made by Egypt for the preservation of Syria’s unity to be accurate, and support them. We are of the opinion that especially foreign interventions in our neighbor Iran will pose significant risks to the entire region. Solving the problems with Iran, including the nuclear dossier, through diplomacy will be the most accurate method.”
