Cairo: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa and combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of its location or perpetrators. This announcement was made in a joint statement following Abdelatty's visit to Ankara, where he chaired a meeting of the Joint Planning Group between the two countries.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the meeting addressed regional concerns and discussed bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Turkiye. The joint statement praised the efforts of the US to end the war in Gaza, highlighting the significance of collaboration with Washington in promoting regional peace. It acknowledged the progress achieved so far and reaffirmed Egypt and Turkiye's commitment to the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit held on October 13, 2025, as part of the comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict issued on September 29, 2025.
The statement urged active participation and international contributions to the forthcoming International Conference on Early Recovery and Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, anticipated to be hosted by Egypt in 2025. Both nations reiterated their support for alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people and their cooperation in providing humanitarian assistance to those in need in the Strip.
Furthermore, the statement commended the ongoing reforms by the Palestinian Authority aimed at facilitating its return to assume responsibilities in Gaza under suitable conditions. It stressed the need for a two-state solution, envisioning two democratic and sovereign states existing peacefully within recognized borders, based on the 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.
On the Syrian issue, both parties reaffirmed their mutual support for the Syrian people in their pursuit of a comprehensive political process, leading to a peaceful and prosperous future. They emphasized ensuring stability and security in Syria, preserving its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while combating terrorism and preventing Syrian territories from becoming a threat to regional stability.
The statement called on the international community to enhance early recovery and reconstruction assistance to improve the Syrian people's living conditions and reiterated the importance of maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa. Both ministers renewed their support for Somalia's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the Federal Government's efforts to combat terrorism, encouraging international partners to secure sustainable funding for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Regarding Sudan, the joint communiqu© expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict with devastating humanitarian consequences, reaffirming Egypt and Turkiye's commitment to Sudan's sovereignty, unity, and public order. On Libya, both countries reiterated their commitment to safeguarding Libya's stability, security, and sovereignty, supporting international efforts, particularly the UN roadmap, and fostering a vision of the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of prosperity and stability.
On bilateral relations, the statement noted the establishment of the Joint Planning Group mechanism, co-chaired by the two foreign ministers, under a joint declaration signed by the Presidents of Egypt and Turkiye in Cairo in February 2024. This mechanism aims to prepare for the upcoming meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, with both ministers expressing their commitment to enhancing and further developing positive momentum in bilateral relations within the framework of their leaders' vision.