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Erdogan: Restoring Relations with Egypt Will Positively Reflect on Regional Issues

Egypt President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India (Egyptian Presidency)
Egypt President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India (Egyptian Presidency)
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Erdogan: Restoring Relations with Egypt Will Positively Reflect on Regional Issues

Egypt President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India (Egyptian Presidency)
Egypt President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India (Egyptian Presidency)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that improving relations with Egypt to a better level will lead to positive results on many regional issues, particularly the Syrian one.

Erdogan revealed that he had received an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India, to visit Egypt. But he told him that he was first waiting for his visit to Türkiye.

Turkish media had previously announced that Sisi would visit Türkiye on July 27, but the date coincided with Sisi’s attendance at the African-Russian summit on July 27 and 28 last year.

- Strengthening relationships

“We have already set up a high-level strategic cooperation council, and we will work to revive it,” Erdogan indicated, adding that the two countries planned to revive a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

During their meeting on Sunday, Sisi and Erdogan agreed to strengthen the course of relations between the two countries.

They stressed their keenness to strengthen regional cooperation as a well-established strategic approach within the framework of common interest.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Ahmed Fahmy announced Sunday that the two presidents “discussed many issues” in their meeting.

According to Fahmy, they stressed the importance of advancing relations between the two countries and building on tangible progress to resume various mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.

They also expressed keenness to strengthen regional cooperation as a solid strategic approach within a framework of mutual respect, common interest, and sincere intentions to contribute to safeguarding security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

The two presidents exchanged views on regional developments of mutual interest and ways to intensify consultation and coordination between the two countries to enhance all aspects of bilateral relations in the interest of the two countries and peoples.

In a statement on Sunday, the Turkish Presidency said that Erdogan confirmed during his meeting with Sisi that relations between the two countries have entered a new era with the appointment of ambassadors for each of them.

The two presidents and their accompanying delegations discussed supporting relations and efforts to increase regional and global trade and cooperation, added the statement.

Erdogan pointed to the important support provided by the Egyptian authorities to Turkish investors and companies, saying it was essential to boost cooperation in various fields.

Egyptian-Turkish relations witnessed positive developments over the past months, and the two countries increased their diplomatic representation to the ambassador level.

Ten years earlier, they reduced their representation to the level of charge d’affaires following a rift between the two countries when Egypt removed former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi from power.

Sisi and Erdogan shook hands for the first time on the sidelines of the opening of the World Cup in Qatar, and the Turkish president said at the time that he spoke with Sisi for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Sisi called Erdogan after the earthquake that struck Türkiye in February to express the solidarity and sympathy of the Egyptian people.

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Arab World

Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Egypt Approves Yahya Diab as Acting Head of Syria’s Mission

**Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo in March 2025 (Egyptian Presidency)**
**Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo in March 2025 (Egyptian Presidency)**
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: Egypt Approves Yahya Diab as Acting Head of Syria’s Mission

**Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo in March 2025 (Egyptian Presidency)**
**Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab Summit in Cairo in March 2025 (Egyptian Presidency)**

Two Syrian sources, one of them at the Foreign Ministry, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Egypt has informed Syria of its approval of Ambassador Yahya Diab to head the Syrian diplomatic mission in Cairo, following its reservations over the previous nominee.

A Syrian source familiar with the matter said Diab had already been informed that Cairo had approved his nomination and that he is currently working to conclude his commitments outside Syria before returning to Damascus to take the necessary steps to assume his duties in Egypt.

However, the source noted that Diab had not been informed whether he had been nominated as ambassador or as chargé d’affaires.

“If he is nominated as ambassador, the decision will be issued through a presidential decree addressed to Egypt. A chargé d’affaires, however, is appointed by a decision of the foreign minister,” the source said.

Another source at the Syrian Foreign Ministry revealed that Diab would be appointed as “chargé d’affaires of the Syrian ambassador to Egypt,” adding that he is also likely to serve as Syria’s permanent representative to the League of Arab States, unless another candidate is nominated for that position, which does not require approval from the Egyptian authorities.

He added: “Arrangements are currently underway to obtain the necessary accreditation from Cairo so that the new Syrian mission can begin its work as soon as possible.”

Asharq Al-Awsat was unable to reach Egypt’s Foreign Ministry for confirmation.

Yahya Diab (Syrian Memory Platform)

‘In Response to the Egyptian Side’

About a week ago, a Syrian Foreign Ministry source told Asharq Al-Awsat the name of the new ambassador nominated to represent Syria in Egypt, replacing Mohammad Taha Al-Ahmad, whose nomination Cairo had objected to.

At the time, the source said the new nominee was Yahya Diab and that his nomination “came in response to the Egyptian side and out of a desire to advance relations between the two countries toward deeper and broader horizons.”

At the time, an Egyptian official source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Syrian government had submitted another candidate to head its diplomatic mission in Cairo, noting that matters were “moving toward the approval of the new nominee by the Egyptian authorities.”

The source added that “matters are proceeding normally and positively with the Syrian side.”

Diab is a member of the executive office and the office for foreign relations and diplomats at the Free National Gathering of Employees in Syrian State Institutions. Before the Syrian revolution, he served in several diplomatic postings in Rome, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Belgrade. He also headed the trade union committee at the Syrian Foreign Ministry and holds a law degree from Damascus University.

A report published by Asharq Al-Awsat on June 1 cited a source familiar with the matter as saying that Cairo had objected to the nomination of Taha Al-Ahmad as Syria’s ambassador to Egypt and that “Egyptian reservations” were hindering the reception of a number of members of the Syrian diplomatic mission.

Prospects for Cooperation

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Egyptian-Syrian relations have moved cautiously toward bilateral engagement due to Cairo’s concerns regarding the issue of armed groups, before gradually shifting toward economic cooperation.

In late April, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met his counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Arab-European Consultative Summit held in Cyprus. Media outlets in Cairo and Damascus reported at the time that the two leaders held a “friendly discussion” on regional developments and ways to enhance cooperation.

In January, Damascus hosted the first Egyptian-Syrian Economic and Investment Forum, with the participation of a number of Egyptian business, finance and chamber of commerce leaders. The event aimed to build effective partnerships between the two countries and explore opportunities for cooperation in trade, industry, services, infrastructure and reconstruction.

Last Saturday, Mohamed Omar Abdel Aziz El-Feki, chargé d’affaires of the Egyptian embassy in Damascus, said Egypt is looking to expand cooperation with Syria across various sectors, particularly in reconstruction.

He made the remarks to reporters following a tour of the Buildex International Construction Exhibition in Damascus, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

At the same event, Haitham Hussein, chairman of Egypt Industrial Complex, announced plans to establish a large industrial zone in Syria during the coming phase to support production and create employment opportunities.

Hussein said the proposed project would focus on food-processing, textile and agricultural industries, as well as sectors linked to reconstruction. He also stressed the importance of establishing integrated industrial cities capable of meeting the requirements of the next stage.

Arab World

Arab League Secretary-General Welcomes Announcement of US-Iran MoU

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab League Secretary-General Welcomes Announcement of US-Iran MoU

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed the announcement of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, paving the way for its formal signing on June 19, with the aim of reaching a sustainable ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement issued today, Aboul Gheit expressed hope that this development would represent an important step toward ending Iranian and Israeli attacks on Arab territories and creating the conditions for launching a process that would end the war and achieve lasting stability in the region, SPA reported.

He warned of Israel's continued efforts to undermine the agreement and perpetuate a state of ongoing conflict, while commending the diplomatic efforts made by Arab, regional, and international parties to reach the MoU.

The secretary-general called on the concerned parties to approach the next phase of negotiations in a positive spirit and work toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

He stressed that any final agreement must respect the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Arab states and take into account legitimate Arab demands for achieving security in the region.

Arab World

Arab Parliament Speaker Welcomes US-Iran Agreement

Arab Parliament Speaker Welcomes US-Iran Agreement
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Arab Parliament Speaker Welcomes US-Iran Agreement

Arab Parliament Speaker Welcomes US-Iran Agreement

Arab Parliament Speaker Mohammed Al-Yamahi welcomed the preliminary agreement reached between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran, describing it as a positive step toward de-escalating tensions in the region and enhancing security and stability at the regional and international levels, SPA reported.

In a statement today, Al-Yamahi praised the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and all regional and international parties that contributed to bridging viewpoints and supporting the diplomatic endeavors that led to this agreement, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in promoting regional security and stability.

He stressed that any final and permanent agreement must take into account the security interests of Arab states, foremost among them the Arab Gulf states, and be based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs.

Al-Yamahi reaffirmed the Arab Parliament's support for all peaceful initiatives aimed at resolving disputes through dialogue and negotiation in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.