Following the end of the 10-year tension between Turkiye and Egypt, the Joint Declaration on the Restructuring of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council Meetings was signed between the two countries. The declaration also included information on cooperation in the military and defence industries.
President Erdoğan signed a joint declaration with Egyptian President Sisi regarding cooperation between the two countries. Pointing out that there are deep-rooted, common historical and cultural ties between Turkiye and Egypt, the declaration stated that the Turkiye and Egypt are committed to developing strong solidarity and cooperation that will serve the common interests of the two countries and their peoples and promote peace, stability and prosperity in their regions and beyond. It was emphasised that they confirmed their determination to strengthen their relations further in every field.
Accordingly, the two countries' presidents will co-chair the next High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meetings. The Council will meet alternately every two years in Turkiye and Egypt. The two countries' foreign ministers will coordinate the work and prepare the agenda for each meeting.
To prepare for the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, Joint Planning Group meetings will be held under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' foreign ministers, where senior officials from other relevant ministries and institutions will come together.
Turkiye wants to carry its capabilities in the defence industry to Egypt. Turkish officials visited the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) in Cairo in December for the first time.
Egypt and Türkiye severed ties in 2013 after Sisi, Egypt's then-defence minister, led a military coup and took control of the country. He went on to win the presidential election in 2014. However, relations began to improve in 2021 when a Turkish delegation visited Egypt to discuss normalisation. Erdogan and Sisi shook hands in Qatar in November 2022, marking a new chapter in their relationship. Since then, the two leaders have met in several other countries, including Saudi Arabia in November and India's G20 summit in September. Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the completion of an agreement to provide Egypt with UAVs.
