Strengthening Alliances: Turkish Defense Ministry Anticipates Enhanced Military Collaboration with Egypt
The Turkish Defense Ministry has indicated its anticipation for the enhancement of military and defense partnerships with Egypt in the forthcoming period, highlighting that the trip of General Osama Askar, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, to Ankara symbolizes a new chapter in the evolution of bilateral relations between the two nations.
TRT Haber, referencing Turkish Defense Ministry media advisor Zafer Aktok, reported that “Egyptian Chief of Staff Askar convened with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Chief of General Staff Metin Gürak.”
Aktok mentioned that the Egyptian Chief of Staff also toured several Turkish defense manufacturing firms during his stay in Ankara.
He remarked, “We foresee an expansion of relations between our two nations in the near future.” Earlier, Egyptian military spokesperson Ghrib Abdel Hafiz declared that both sides had confirmed their ambitions to bolster military collaboration during the discussions.
He further noted that they deliberated on military cooperation, regional and international crises “impacting the national security of both nations, and aligning perspectives towards them.”
He elaborated that the Egyptian Chief of Staff undertook a review tour covering several companies, including Baykar, the developer of Bayraktar drones, and also visited the Turkish army’s special forces headquarters.
It is significant to mention that last February, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made his inaugural visit to Egypt since his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assumed office, where Sisi warmly welcomed the Turkish president to commence a new chapter in the relationships between the two countries.
Relations between Egypt and Turkey have been witnessing improvement since the handshake between Erdogan and Sisi during the FIFA World Cup opening in Qatar in 2022, followed by another meeting at the G20 summit in New Delhi last September, where both sides agreed on enhancing ties and cooperation, elevating the diplomatic relationship level, and exchanging ambassadors.
In the wake of Erdogan’s visit to Cairo, preparations are currently in progress for a scheduled visit by Sisi to Ankara.
