President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan chaired the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, after which the two sides issued a joint declaration outlining expanded cooperation across economic, political, and regional files.
Bilateral trade has already approached $9 billion, according to the declaration, with both governments citing “strong political will” to elevate relations further. The two sides stated that the higher trade target would be pursued through increased investment, expanded industrial cooperation, and the removal of obstacles to commerce.
Egypt and Türkiye welcomed the establishment of a national committee to facilitate and monitor Turkish investments in Egypt and agreed to expand joint manufacturing in priority sectors, promote technology transfer and skills development, and deepen cooperation in renewable energy, green transformation, and low-carbon industries.
The declaration also committed the two countries to strengthening cooperation in energy—including electricity, green hydrogen, and nuclear power—alongside continued collaboration in hydrocarbons and mining. Both sides agreed to enhance customs coordination, launch a high-level financial dialogue between their finance ministries, and improve supply-chain connectivity.
Civil aviation, agriculture, and health were identified as additional pillars of cooperation, with agreements to establish joint technical committees on pharmaceuticals and medical devices, expand agricultural trade and collaboration on food security, and enhance air connectivity to support tourism and investment.
The declaration also stressed cooperation in labour mobility, technical training, and capacity building, as well as expanding collaboration in culture, archaeology, museums, tourism, and combating illicit trafficking in cultural property.
The two sides described tourism as a major driver of economic growth and employment and encouraged greater cultural exchanges and investment in cultural and creative industries.
The declaration reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to institutional coordination through the Joint Planning Group, described as the main mechanism for overseeing bilateral relations and ensuring effective follow-up and implementation of agreed outcomes.
Beyond bilateral ties, the declaration devoted significant attention to regional crises.
The two sides expressed a shared commitment to continuing cooperation in higher education through the exchange of expertise and successful academic models, with a view to improving educational outcomes in both countries in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.
On Gaza, Egypt and Türkiye reaffirmed support for US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the Israeli war on the strip, including Israel’s full withdrawal from the enclave, and stressed the need for urgent, sustained humanitarian access, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, and the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The two countries reiterated support for a Palestinian state along the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital, citing the binding nature of UN resolutions, the General Assembly, and advisory opinions of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirming the illegality of the Israeli occupation. They also expressed concern over Israeli actions targeting UN institutions, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and called for respect for their mandates.
The two sides also stressed the central role of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 in managing the transitional phase until the completion of required reforms by the Palestinian Authority (PA), enabling its return to governing Gaza.
On Libya, the two sides reaffirmed support for a UN-facilitated, Libyan-owned political process.
They also voiced continued backing for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and stressed the need for reconstruction and an inclusive political process.
They emphasized the need to combat terrorism in all its forms and prevent Syrian territory from becoming a source of threat to neighboring states, while addressing the issue of foreign terrorist fighters.
The two sides strongly condemned Israel’s continued violations of Syrian sovereignty and attempts to exploit current conditions to seize additional Syrian territory, stressing the need for Israel to adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.
Regarding Lebanon, Egypt and Türkiye expressed support for state institutions and called for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, while urging Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
The declaration expressed support for President Joseph Aoun and his government, welcoming initiatives aimed at halting Israeli attacks as responsible steps to prevent escalation, while reiterating calls for Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Lebanese territories, including the five occupied border points in southern Lebanon.
They also backed efforts by Lebanon’s leadership to consolidate state authority and prevent escalation.
The declaration voiced deep concern over the conflict in Sudan, calling for a humanitarian truce leading to a permanent ceasefire and a Sudanese-led political process, while rejecting the establishment of parallel governing structures.
They reiterated respect for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, rejected the establishment of parallel governing structures, and stressed support for regional and international efforts—including those of the Quartet, the African Union, and the Arab League—to resolve the crisis and alleviate humanitarian suffering.
They also emphasized the need to ensure sustained, unhindered humanitarian access to Sudan and neighboring countries, increase aid flows, and establish safe corridors and shelters to protect civilians.
The two sides also highlighted the growing threat of terrorism in the Sahel.
They also called for accelerating the restoration of African Union (AU) membership for the three Sahel states, while urging the international community and humanitarian organizations to intensify efforts to address the severe humanitarian crisis resulting from escalating violence and mass displacement in the region.
On the Horn of Africa, both countries reaffirmed support for Somalia’s sovereignty and stability and underlined the importance of securing the Red Sea and restoring normal maritime navigation, condemning any attempts to establish unlawful military presences along its shores.
Egypt and Türkiye also agreed to coordinate on de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, including supporting the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran, and acknowledged the Nile’s vital importance to Egypt amid water scarcity and climate change.
The two sides said the Joint Planning Group would remain the main mechanism for overseeing bilateral relations and agreed to hold the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in Ankara in 2028.
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