Turkey, Egypt to intensify cooperation, consultations

The meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit was the first meeting within the scope of the Turkey-Egypt Framework Document for Strategic Partnership signed in Istanbul in November 2007, the joint declaration, released following the meeting of the two foreign ministers in Ankara, said.

The two countries reaffirmed their will to improve relations, the declaration said.

Turkey and Egypt would exert efforts to resolve problems in economic and commercial relations that have speeded up recently, it said, adding parties reaffirmed their support for the Annapolis process that aims at a peaceful solution to dispute between Israel and Palestine.

The declaration also said Turkey appreciated Egyptian efforts over Israel-Palestine issue and Egypt appreciated Turkey's mediation in indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria.

The two parties have highlighted the importance of political unity and territorial integrity of Iraq. Turkish and Egyptian officials also discussed several other issues, such as Iran's nuclear program and recent developments in the Balkans and Caucasus, it added.

Gheit departed from Ankara late Saturday after meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, officials said.