Erdogan: Turkey Aim to Increase Trade Exchange with Egypt to $15 Bln Annually

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey is one of Egypt's top five trade partners, and that it looks forward to increasing cooperation with Cairo.

Erdogan added, during a joint press conference with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is visiting Turkey, "We want to strengthen relations with Egypt in the gas and nuclear energy sectors." On his part, El-Sisi said, "We aim to make a qualitative leap in relations with Turkey."

El-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan signed a joint statement for the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Egypt and Turkey. A number of memoranda of understanding were signed between the two countries in the capital, Ankara.

Erdogan explained in his speech that Turkey affirmed its will to enhance cooperation with Egypt in all fields, including industry, trade, defense, health, environment and energy.

He also stressed Turkey's determination to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries to $15 billion annually over the next 5 years, and to continue multi-dimensional relations with Cairo on the basis of mutual benefit.

Regarding the Palestinian file, President Erdogan indicated that Turkey and Egypt adopt a common position towards the Palestinian issue. He said that Turkey and Egypt's contributions to regional peace and stability are vital.