Cairo hosts 2nd round of Egypt-Turkey political consultations on Africa, Libya

Ahram Online , Wednesday 13 Nov 2024

Cairo hosted on Monday the second round of political consultations between Egypt and Turkey, which focused on Africa, specifically the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region, and the situation in Libya, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Egypt and Turkey
Part of the political consultations between Egypt and Turkey which was held in Cairo. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook page.
 

The two sides exchanged perspectives on the rapidly evolving developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, highlighting significant areas of understanding on establishing regional security and stability. 
 
The consultations aimed to potentially restore international commercial shipping traffic in the Red Sea to normal levels. 
 
During the round, Egypt and Turkey agreed to enhance cooperation through various frameworks to achieve their shared objectives in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. 
 
Moreover, they committed to supporting Somalia’s efforts in combating terrorism and strengthening the Somali National Army’s capabilities, agreeing to maintain regular consultations on African issues of mutual interest.
 
The consultations on Libya were held under presidential directives. Both sides underscored the importance of continued dialogue and exchange of views between the two countries to advance the interests of the Libyan people.
 
These discussions followed recent meetings between Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability. 
 
In a joint press conference in Ankara on 4 September, El-Sisi expressed Egypt's intention to maintain peace in the eastern Mediterranean and constructively address regional disagreements. 
 
El-Sisi and Erdogan emphasized a collaborative approach to critical issues, including Libya's political crisis. They also advocated for holding simultaneous presidential and legislative elections in Libya. 
 
In addition, both leaders called for the withdrawal of illegitimate foreign forces and the dismantling of armed militias to foster Libya’s security and unity.
 
They also highlighted the importance of regional cooperation on issues in the Horn of Africa and Somalia, reiterating support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty amid external threats. 
 
This broader partnership between Egypt and Turkey signals a strengthened alignment on strategic regional files, emphasizing mutual goals of peace and prosperity for their peoples.
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