Erdoğan Concludes Diplomatic Tour to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Bolstering Bilateral Ties and Regional Cooperation

Turkish President Strengthens Regional Alliances

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan concluded a significant two-day diplomatic tour to Saudi Arabia and Egypt on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The visit aimed to deepen bilateral relations, foster economic partnerships, and coordinate approaches on pressing regional and international matters. This tour underscores Turkey's ongoing efforts to strengthen its standing and influence across the Middle East and North Africa.

Engagements in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, President Erdoğan commenced his tour in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al Yamamah Palace. Discussions focused on expanding bilateral consultations on regional issues, including the situations in Gaza and Syria, and elevating overall ties. Key outcomes from the Saudi leg of the tour included:

• Agreements to strengthen cooperation in vital sectors such as oil, petroleum products, petrochemicals, electricity, and renewable energy.
• A significant agreement on renewable energy power plant projects, which includes the development of solar power plants in Turkey with a total installed capacity of up to 5,000 megawatts, representing an investment of approximately $2 billion.
• Efforts to finalize negotiations for a free trade agreement between Turkey and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
• President Erdoğan also offered Turkey's readiness to mediate between the United States and Iran to de-escalate tensions.

The Turkish presidency emphasized that these discussions aimed to advance relations beyond economic cooperation, encompassing consultation, coordination, and shared regional responsibility.

Historic Visit to Egypt

Following his engagements in Saudi Arabia, President Erdoğan traveled to Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. This visit marked Erdoğan's third trip to Cairo and followed a historic visit in February 2024, which signaled the end of more than a decade of strained relations between the two nations. The leaders co-chaired the second meeting of the Turkish-Egyptian High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Highlights of the Egyptian visit included:

• The signing of 18 additional agreements covering diverse sectors such as defense, tourism, health, and agriculture.
• A shared commitment to implementing a Gaza truce agreement, accelerating humanitarian aid deliveries, and pursuing a two-state solution for Palestine.
• Discussions on regional developments in Libya and Sudan, and a call for diplomatic solutions regarding the Iranian nuclear file.
• An emphasis on increasing the bilateral trade volume from the current $10 billion to a target of $15 billion.
• Plans for expanding Turkish investments in Egypt, particularly in the textiles, tourism, and ready-made garments sectors.
• Acknowledgement of Turkey's supply of advanced drones to Egypt in 2024 and plans for joint manufacturing.

The visit also included a Turkish-Egyptian business forum, underscoring the economic dimension of the renewed partnership.

Conclusion

President Erdoğan's diplomatic tour to Saudi Arabia and Egypt highlights Turkey's proactive foreign policy in the region. The engagements focused on strengthening economic ties, fostering strategic partnerships, and addressing critical geopolitical challenges, signaling a period of enhanced cooperation and dialogue between Ankara, Riyadh, and Cairo.