PRISTINA: Turkiye needs to bolster its support for Egypt, which plays a critical role in addressing the Palestinian issue, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Friday.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gervalla-Schwarz in Pristina, Fidan lauded Egypt’s efforts in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza and facilitating cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas.
Fidan emphasized that Turkiye and Egypt share a strong commitment to enhancing their bilateral relations and suggested that formalizing this relationship could serve as a model for regional cooperation. His comments followed a visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to Turkiye, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Fidan also highlighted ongoing discussions with Egypt on maintaining stability in Africa, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to address conflicts in Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
Erdogan and el-Sissi, who have been working to mend relations after years of tension, have prioritized ending Israel’s attacks and achieving a lasting cease-fire, which has resulted in significant casualties among Palestinians.
In addition to his comments on Egypt, Fidan praised Turkiye’s relationship with Kosovo, noting that Ankara aims to institutionalize this partnership with a focus on long-term issues such as the economy, security, and counter-terrorism. Turkiye, which was an early supporter of Kosovo’s independence and is a major investor in the country, also leads the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR).
Fidan expressed concern about the presence of the Gulenist Terrorist Group (FETÖ) in Kosovo, warning that it poses a security threat. He called on Kosovo to take decisive action against FETÖ to safeguard its national security.
