Egypt, Türkiye FMs review preparations for 2nd Strategic Council meeting

Ahram Online , Monday 19 Jan 2026

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan held a phone call on Monday to coordinate ahead of the second meeting of the Egypt–Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and to discuss key regional developments, according to Egypt’s foreign ministry.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (L), Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R)

The council meeting is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026 and will be co-chaired by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The ministers discussed ongoing preparations for the session, which both sides see as a key step in consolidating the recent improvement in bilateral relations.

The second meeting is expected to mark a milestone in the normalization of ties following years of strained relations and a gradual rapprochement. Egyptian and Turkish officials have increasingly framed the process as a transition toward a full strategic partnership.

The call followed the first meeting of the Egypt–Türkiye Joint Planning Group, held in Ankara in November, which Abdelatty said translated directives from El-Sisi and Erdogan into concrete steps to elevate relations.

Discussions have focused on expanding cooperation in trade, energy, investment, transport, education, tourism, and information technology, as well as strengthening coordination on regional security issues.

Momentum in bilateral ties was reinforced by reciprocal presidential visits in 2024, including Erdogan’s trip to Cairo in February and El-Sisi’s visit to Ankara in September, which resulted in the signing of 15 bilateral agreements.

Abdelatty and Fidan also exchanged views on regional developments, including the situation in the Gaza Strip. Abdelatty stressed the need to implement commitments under the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan, support the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), and deploy an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to monitor the ceasefire.

He underscored the importance of laying the groundwork for early recovery and reconstruction, as well as ensuring the continued and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The talks also covered developments in Sudan. Abdelatty emphasized the need to push toward a humanitarian truce as a step toward a comprehensive ceasefire, while reaffirming Egypt’s position on preserving Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, supporting its national institutions, and ensuring safe havens and unimpeded humanitarian access for civilians.