The reception marked the 104th anniversary of Turkey's Victory Day, also known as Armed Forces Day, and brought together senior Egyptian military and civilian officials, ambassadors and military attachés, Turkish citizens, business representatives, and journalists.
Held at the Turkish ambassador's residence in Giza, the reception was also attended by a large number of ambassadors from friendly, allied, and brotherly countries, as well as around 60 military attachés and 200 guests.
Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen receives his guests at the Victory Day reception. Photo courtesy of the Turkish embassy.
The event highlighted the historical significance of 30 August Victory Day, Turkey’s advances in the defence industry, and prospects for expanding military and defence-industrial cooperation between Egypt and Turkey.
Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen said the two countries’ growing relationship was becoming increasingly important amid interconnected security and humanitarian challenges facing the Middle East, North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea.
“Turkey views security and stability through the need to strengthen deterrence and approaches regional issues with a sense of regional ownership,” Mutlu Şen pointed out, stressing that Ankara does not view security solely through military power but also believes in strengthening deterrence through diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation.
“Developing relations between Turkey and Egypt has strategic importance. Both countries have large and professional armed forces, important defence-industry capabilities, and a unique ability to contribute to the stability of several neighbouring regions,” he noted.
Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen delivers his speech on Turkey's 104th Victory Day celebration.
“Our goal is clear: to turn our shared potential into effective cooperation that benefits both countries and supports regional peace.”
Mutlu Şen said recent high-level contacts had given fresh momentum to military relations between Egypt and Turkey.
He pointed to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo on 4 February, during which he and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi co-chaired the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
The meeting, which included the signing of a military framework agreement, provided “a strong political framework for the next phase” of bilateral relations, Mutlu Şen said.
He also highlighted Egyptian Defence and Military Production Minister Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher's visit to Turkey in July, during which he visited Turkish defence-industry facilities and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation in the defence sector.
According to Mutlu Şen, the talks covered opportunities for cooperation in military technology development and production.
He added that the strengthening of bilateral ties extended beyond defence, noting that Cairo and Ankara share positions on the need for a just and lasting peace in Palestine, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction in Gaza, the unity and sovereignty of Libya and Sudan, and Somalia’s territorial integrity and security in the Red Sea.
The two countries also support diplomatic solutions to regional crises and efforts to reduce tensions, he added.
"Turkey remains committed to NATO principles and expressed support for expanding Egypt’s engagement with the alliance," the ambassador said while also referring to the recently signed Mecca Joint Defence Agreement involving Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
The ambassador said the Turkish and Egyptian armed forces share not only military professionalism and discipline but also deep-rooted historical and institutional traditions.
“The historical ties and mutual respect between Turkey and Egypt provide a strong foundation for developing cooperation in the military and defence-industrial fields,” Şen said, adding that joint projects could contribute to wider regional security and stability.
He also congratulated the Egyptian Armed Forces on the opening of the Strategic Command headquarters, known as the Octagon, which was established under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.
Turkish Military Attaché in Cairo Brigadier General Tahir Engin Bilgin. Photo courtesy of the Turkish embassy.
During the reception, Turkish Military Attaché in Cairo Brigadier General Tahir Engin Bilgin read a message from President Erdoğan marking Victory Day.
In his message, Erdoğan described the 30 August 1922 victory, known as the “Battle of the Commander-in-Chief,” as one of the defining milestones of Turkey’s national struggle and a victory that paved the way for the establishment of the Turkish Republic.
He said the determination and courage demonstrated by the Turkish people more than a century ago continue to inspire Turkey’s efforts today, pointing to the country’s achievements in defence, energy, science, technology, and foreign policy.
Erdoğan also stressed Turkey's commitment to standing by “justice, peace, and stability” amid growing conflicts and uncertainty around the world and paid tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the commanders and soldiers of the independence struggle, and the country's fallen soldiers and veterans.
The 30 August Victory Day commemorates the decisive Turkish victory at the Battle of Dumlupınar in 1922, a turning point in the Turkish war of independence and a key milestone on the road to the establishment of the Republic of Turkey.
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