EditErdoğan-Sisi summit in Cairo: strategic partnership deepens amid multiple regional crises
The two leaders voiced determination to transform their relationship into a pillar of regional stability, security cooperation, and economic partnership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo and his high-level meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday marked a significant milestone in the ongoing rapprochement between Ankara and Cairo.
The two leaders focused on strategic cooperation, joint responses to regional crises, and ambitious economic goals, signalling a new era of pragmatic alignment between the two major Middle Eastern powers.
The summit took place at the Al-Ittihadiya Presidential Palace, where Erdoğan and Sisi co-chaired the second session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and signed multiple bilateral agreements covering trade, investment, and sectoral collaboration.
In their joint press statements, Sisi emphasized that deepening ties between Egypt and Turkey is essential for achieving sustainable political solutions to the crises destabilizing the Middle East. He highlighted Egypt’s position as Turkey’s leading trading partner in Africa and reaffirmed the shared strategic target of raising bilateral trade from the current $9 billion to $15 billion in the coming years.
The Gaza conflict dominated much of the discussion. Both leaders underscored the critical importance of coordinated efforts among Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United States to secure and sustain a ceasefire. Sisi stressed the urgent priority of ensuring uninterrupted, long-term delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, while reiterating strong support for the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in full accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
The leaders also addressed the ongoing civil war in Sudan in detail. They called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the preservation of Sudan’s unified state institutions, and the safe delivery of humanitarian aid through secure corridors. In their joint declaration, they explicitly rejected the emergence of parallel power structures, warning that Sudan’s stability remains a cornerstone of broader regional security.
On Somalia, Ankara and Cairo expressed firm opposition to any actions that threaten the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They stressed the importance of maritime security in the Red Sea and condemned any foreign military presence that violates international law.
Regarding Syria, both presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the country’s unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. They condemned Israeli military strikes on Syrian territory and reiterated the need for continued efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms.
On Libya, the two leaders endorsed a Libyan-led political process under United Nations facilitation, aimed at preserving national unity and stability. They also voiced support for Lebanon’s state institutions, insisting that all weapons must remain exclusively under government control and calling for full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The discussion touched on the Iranian nuclear file, with both sides agreeing on the necessity of de-escalation and the conclusion of an agreement that would enhance stability across the Middle East. They also underlined the vital importance of the Nile River for Egypt’s security and development, agreeing to intensify technical cooperation to mitigate the effects of climate change on shared water resources.
Economically, Erdoğan addressed the Turkey-Egypt Business Forum, where he highlighted the substantial untapped potential between the two economies. Despite Egypt already being Turkey’s largest African trading partner, he noted that Turkish investments in Egypt have reached nearly $4 billion and currently sustain over 100,000 jobs, primarily in textiles, chemicals, manufacturing, tourism, and construction.
The Turkish president expressed Ankara’s strong interest in partnering with Cairo on the post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza, leveraging the expertise of Turkish construction firms alongside Egypt’s regional knowledge and logistical capabilities. He also outlined promising areas for future collaboration, including energy, maritime transport, smart cities, and healthcare infrastructure, aligned with Egypt’s “Vision 2030” national development strategy.
The summit concluded on a forward-looking note: the next meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was scheduled for Ankara in 2028.
Caption: A handout photo made available by the Turkish Presidential press office shows Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) during a welcome ceremony before their meeting in Cairo, Egypt, 4 February 2026. EPA/TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE
Updated: February 5, 2026 - 08:57
