The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who held a joint press conference in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, emphasized the importance of maintaining the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
The president stressed on supporting the efforts to stabilize the region, pointing out that the growing challenges in the region reinforce the need for cooperation between the countries of the region.
The presidents of Turkey and Egypt have realized that they will defend the unity and territorial independence of Somalia, after a meeting they held today in Ankara.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi visited Ankara for an official trip – his first since taking office ten years ago.
Sisi was invited by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who had received his Egyptian counterpart at the airport’s tarmac under the spotlight of international media.
The two economic and military powerhouses in the region were at loggerheads over multiple issues. But in recent years, they have worked to iron out the differences.
Experts say that Sisi’s visit is a turning point in those efforts.
“The existing issues between Türkiye and Egypt present both opportunities and challenges. If these challenges are overcome—something this meeting suggests is possible—we could witness a new period of close cooperation between Türkiye and Egypt,” Kaan Devecioglu, Coordinator for North African Studies at Ankara-based Turkish think-tank ORSAM, tells TRT World.
The leaders co-chaired the first High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting between the two countries and signed 17 agreements in various fields.
In a joint news conference, Erdogan said the two sides reaffirmed their will to “advance cooperation in all areas.” Sisi said his visit, which followed the Turkish president’s trip to Cairo in February, “paves the way for a new phase in economic and trade relations.”
