Ankara seeks to increase trade exchange with Egypt to $15B: Turkish FM

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that his government will encourage Turkish companies to increase their investments in Egypt, especially in tourism sector.

He added during joint press conference with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry that Ankara seeks to increase trade exchange with Egypt to $15 billion.

“We will diversify our relations with Egypt and develop our relations especially in economy and energy”, Çavuşoğlu said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that cooperation between Egypt and Turkey is important for the interest of the region, and there is agreement between the two countries on many issues.

On the possible impact of joint talks on the Libyan file and the possibility of holding a trilateral meeting grouping Libya, Turkey and Egypt leaders and the influence of such a collaborative spirit in combating terrorism in the Middle East region and countering illegal migration, Cavusoglu said there was a confidence crisis between Libya and Turkey as well as doubts and criticism, but now after the start of dialogue between Egypt and Turkey, hopefully, the same thing will be taking place with Libya.

"There should be full preparedness for the political track and elections at the same time," the Turkish foreign minister said, adding that "our common objective is the unity and safety of the Libyan territories and reaching a political agreement in Libya."

Cavulsolgu asserted that there should be joint work to combat terrorism and create the appropriate circumstances for this objective, adding that Turkey is working to beef up its relations with Egypt and focus on the regional issues, illegal migration and combating terrorism.