Egypt and Turkey concluded their talks in Cairo on Thursday evening, the first public talks between the two countries in eight years.
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Sputnik news agency reported that the talks were held over two days in Cairo, headed by Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sanad Loza and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sadet Onal.
A joint statement issued by the two countries at the conclusion of the meetings stated that the meeting discussed issues such as bilateral relations and some regional issues, especially the situation in Libya, Syria and Iraq, and the need for peace and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In this regard, the Vice President of Turkey stated that his country’s relations with Egypt may witness tensions in the recent period, but bilateral cooperation is in the interest of the two countries.
“We want to improve our relations with all countries of the region on the basis of mutual respect,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Deputy Prime Minister Fuat Aktay.
Egypt is our neighbor in the eastern Mediterranean, with whom we have close commercial relations and partnerships.
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Our political relations with Egypt may be tense, but bilateral cooperation is in the interest of both countries. Egypt respected the agreement we signed with Libya.
“It cannot be said that our relations with Egypt have been completely cut off,” he said. We had contacts at the intelligence and diplomatic levels, and now the process of normalization has begun at the level of deputy ministers.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the talks were “frank and in-depth” and focused on bilateral and regional issues, especially the situation in Libya, Syria and Iraq and the need for peace and security in the Middle East.
The two sides are expected to evaluate this round of talks and agree on future steps.
