Egyptian Foreign Minister: Egyptian-Turkish understanding on the necessity of holding presidential and parliamentary elections to restore stability to Libya.

Cairo, August 5, 2024 (LANA) - Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati revealed that there is an Egyptian-Turkish consensus on the need to enhance consultations on the Libyan file.

The Egyptian minister said in a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan today, Monday, in Cairo that there is an agreement on the need to enhance consultations on the Libyan file, as stability and enhancing security play the foundations for settling existing differences, and we have reached an understanding on preserving Libya's unity and the need to hold Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections in a way that restores stability to Libya.

Badr Abdel Ati explained that there is an Egyptian-Turkish consensus on the situation in Gaza and regional issues, noting that he discussed with his Turkish counterpart the crisis file in Syria, welcoming the Turkish statements about readiness to work to resolve differences with Syria, and discussing the situation in Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and the Red Sea, and the visions agreed to prevent regional escalation.

Cooperation in the African continent, the Renaissance Dam, the dangerous situation in the Horn of Africa, the Egyptian rejection of any threat to the unity of Somalia, and the importance of preserving the unity of Somalia were also discussed.

Regarding Egyptian-Turkish relations, the Egyptian Foreign Minister said that the visit of his Turkish counterpart to Cairo comes within the framework of strengthening relations, cooperation and joint coordination between the two countries to achieve the interests of their peoples, pointing out that these visits, most notably the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, contribute to strengthening cooperation and stability in the region.

He said during the joint press conference that in light of the global polarization and the escalation witnessed by the region, Egypt and Turkey can maintain security and stability in the region and secure a bright future for their peoples, noting that "the discussions included discussing the date of the first meeting of the Cooperation Council headed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

He added that they discussed issues of common interest and coordination at the level of the two presidents, and there will be extended meetings to discuss ways to strengthen these relations.

Abdel-Ati stressed that Egypt is Turkey's first trading partner in Africa, and indicated that he agreed with Minister Hakan to intensify work to reach trade exchange of $15 billion, saying: "The Egyptian and Turkish economies can achieve this, and we agreed to intensify cooperation by Turkish companies and attract them to the Egyptian market."

(LANA)