Sisi, Burhan Discuss GERD Crisis, Israeli Assault on Gaza

Sisi and Burhan meet in Paris. (SUNA)
Sisi and Burhan meet in Paris. (SUNA)
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Sisi, Burhan Discuss GERD Crisis, Israeli Assault on Gaza

Sisi and Burhan meet in Paris. (SUNA)
Sisi and Burhan meet in Paris. (SUNA)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi held talks in Paris on Sunday with head of the Sudanese transitional council Abdul Fattah al-Burhan.

Talks focused on bilateral relations, the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and border tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia.

French President Emmanuel Macron this week hosts African leaders and chiefs of global financial institutions for twin summit meetings that will seek to help Sudan into a new democratic era and provide Africa with critical financing swept away by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Spokesman for the Egyptian president said Sisi hoped to deepen ties with Sudan to serve the interests of their countries, especially on the security, military, economic and trade levels.

Burhan, for his part, hailed Egypt’s efforts to strengthen cooperation with Sudan, as well as its unlimited support to Sudanese security and stability.

The leaders also tackled the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank, echoing calls by the Arab League and Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Tel Aviv to cease its assault.

They stressed that the two-state solution was the foundation for peace in the region.

They agreed to maintain communication and coordination and exchanged views on the latest developments related to the Nile dam.

They underlined the utmost need to resolve the dispute, which they view as a matter of national security. They reiterated the need to reach a legal binding agreement on the dam’s operation and filling in order to meet the interests of all concerned sides.



Türkiye, Israel Have Begun Talks to Avoid Clashes in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
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Türkiye, Israel Have Begun Talks to Avoid Clashes in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman

Turkish and Israeli officials began talks on Wednesday aimed at preventing unwanted incidents in Syria, where militaries of the two regional powers are active, Turkish ministry sources said on Thursday. 

The sources said the technical talks, in Azerbaijan, marked the beginning of efforts to set up a channel to avoid potential clashes or misunderstandings over military operations in the region. 

"Efforts will continue to establish this mechanism," one of the sources said, without providing further details on the scope or timeline of the talks. 

The initiative comes a week after Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, which it described as a warning to the newly formed government in Damascus. It has also accused Türkiye of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate. 

Reuters reported last week that Turkish military teams had inspected at least three air bases in Syria where they could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defense pact with Damascus - before Israel hit the sites with airstrikes. 

Türkiye and Israel - which have traded diplomatic barbs since Israel's attacks began on Gaza in 2023 - each said last week they did not seek confrontation in Syria, which both border. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed on Wednesday that technical talks were taking place, emphasizing that such mechanisms were necessary to prevent misunderstandings between the two regional powers' forces. 

The talks were similar to deconfliction mechanisms Türkiye has with the US and Russia, he said on broadcaster CNN Turk.