Erdogan heads to Cairo for D-8 summit amidst regional tensions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has departed for Cairo to attend the D-8 summit, marking an important diplomatic engagement for Türkiye.

The Turkish leader was seen off at Esenboga Airport in Ankara by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz and Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Accompanying Erdogan on this pivotal trip are Trade Minister Omer Bolat, head of Türkiye's Intelligence Organization Ibrahim Kalın, head of the Presidential Administration's Liaison Office Fahrettin Altun, and Presidential Advisor for Foreign and Security Policy Akif Çağatay Kılıç.

At the D-8 summit, President Erdogan is slated to participate in a special session dedicated to the ongoing crises in Palestine and Lebanon. He is also expected to engage in one-on-one talks with fellow heads of state, focusing on regional issues such as the situation in Syria and Palestine.

Notably, the D-8 summit, a platform for economic cooperation among eight developing countries, will provide Türkiye with an opportunity to address crucial issues like economic development, youth investment, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Erdogan's presence will be instrumental in fostering collaboration with other member countries and in advancing Türkiye's economic and political objectives.

The summit comes amid improved relations between Türkiye and Egypt. A significant diplomatic thaw has been underway, with Erdogan’s visit to Egypt in February 2024 followed by a reciprocal visit from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to Türkiye in September 2024. This growing partnership sets the stage for deeper cooperation between the two nations on a range of strategic issues, including regional security and economic development.

By Khagan Isayev