Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a significant diplomatic meeting held on the sidelines of the emergency Arab-Islamic summit in Doha, Egyptian Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aaty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, while jointly expressing solidarity with Qatar and support for the Palestinian cause amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Growing Momentum in Egyptian-Turkish Relations
The meeting comes at a time of rapidly warming relations between Egypt and Turkey, following years of political estrangement. Both ministers praised the recent progress in restoring and expanding cooperation, particularly in the areas of economics, trade, and investment. They emphasized the importance of building upon the positive momentum by institutionalizing mechanisms for political consultation and strategic coordination.
According to a statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed steps to further develop structured frameworks of bilateral cooperation, aiming to elevate the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership. These include expanding diplomatic dialogue and advancing joint initiatives in various fields, including regional security and energy cooperation.
United Front in Solidarity with Qatar
On regional issues, the ministers expressed full solidarity with Qatar in light of the recent Israeli airstrike on Doha, which targeted a Hamas negotiating team during active mediation efforts hosted by Qatar. The unprecedented move — widely condemned in the region — was described by both Cairo and Ankara as a blatant violation of international law and diplomatic norms.
Egypt and Turkey, both of which maintain strong ties with Doha, underscored the importance of protecting the sovereignty of Qatar and safeguarding the integrity of diplomatic processes aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza.
Joint Stance on Gaza and the Palestinian Cause
The two top diplomats were unequivocal in their condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire and denouncing policies of siege, starvation, and forced displacement being imposed on the Palestinian population.
They jointly called for:
- Full and unhindered access for humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
- An end to the violence and targeting of civilians.
- Renewed commitment to a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Both Egypt and Turkey reiterated that peace in the region cannot be achieved without addressing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and they criticized the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions.
Broader Implications for Regional Diplomacy
The convergence of views between Egypt and Turkey marks a notable shift in regional dynamics, particularly as the Arab-Islamic summit in Doha brings together countries that have historically been divided on key regional issues. Their alignment on Gaza, and mutual support for Qatar, signals an emerging consensus among major regional powers in the face of escalating Israeli military actions and perceived Western inaction.
This bilateral meeting is also viewed as part of broader regional efforts to forge a united front ahead of critical international diplomatic engagements, including the upcoming UN General Assembly meetings, where discussions of Palestinian statehood and humanitarian relief for Gaza are expected to take center stage.
A New Phase in Egypt-Turkey Relations
The meeting in Doha marks one of the highest-profile diplomatic engagements between Cairo and Ankara since the normalization of relations began in earnest in 2022. It reflects a broader regional recalibration, where former rivals are now finding common ground in the face of shared challenges particularly the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and regional security realignments.
Both sides have expressed optimism about the future of the relationship, suggesting that the coming months could see new agreements and joint projects as part of a broader strategy to stabilize the region and boost economic cooperation.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and international pressure mounts, Egypt and Turkey appear poised to play a more assertive role not just as individual actors, but as partners seeking to influence the regional response and revive the push for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
