Erdogan Talks Up Relations w/Egypt In 1st Visit Since 2012

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is participating in a press conference alongside his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on the former's visit to Cairo. Livestream here. The visit is Erdogan's first to Egypt since 2012, and comes as international focus has been on the Egyptian capital as it hosts begotiations involving Hamas, Israel, the US, Qatar and Egypt on agreement on hostage exchanges.

• Relations between Turkey and Egypt entered the deep-freeze following the Arab Spring after al-Sisi, then head of the armed forces, led the ouster of democratically elected President Mohamed Mursi - who hailed from the Muslim Brotherhood group and was a close ally of Turkey. Erdogan states that the two leaders agreed to boost trade volumes with Egypt to UD15bn in the short term.
• Also states that the two sides are evaluating energy and defence industry cooperation.
• Erdogan calls for a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, and for the transfer of humanitarian aid without delay. Says that the conflict in Gaza topped the agenda of talks with al-Sisi. Says that Turkey is 'ready for cooperation with Egypt to rebuild Gaza.'