CAIRO
Turkish President Abdullah Gul has said Turkey and Egypt could exert joint efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the region, adding that a latest truce in Gaza last November was an example to the Turkish-Egyptian partnership.
"Turkey considers Egypt as a strategic partner in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. I have a firm belief that Turkey and Egypt can make major contributions through joint efforts to peace and stability in the region. Securing a truce in Gaza a few months ago is a concrete example for it," Gul told The Anadolu Agency in Cairo, where he was set to participate in a summit meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, or OIC.
Gul said Turkey extended financial and technical support to Egypt which he said passed through "a critical era," adding that his country would continue to support Egypt in every field.
"A $2 billion financial package our country provides for Egypt is a sign of our strong commitment on this issue. The first $1-billion tranche of the package has been transferred and the rest of it will be delivered in export loans," Gul said.
Gul said the 12th OIC summit meeting hosted by Egypt would be instrumental in redefining the organization's responsibilities and duties as well as help OIC take initiatives through a global strategy and approach.
"Turkey believes that OIC's role should be strengthened in eradicating global and local misunderstandings and misperceptions on Islam and Muslims and in effectively conveying Islam's message of peace and fraternity," Gul said.
Gul described the Egyptian capital as "the flagship of the Arab world," adding that Cairo was also the region's intellectual and culture center.
Gul said Turkey was determined to boost economic and commercial relations with Egypt, adding that a five-billion USD trade volume in 2012 between the two countries should be increased to $10 billion in the shortest possible time.
The Turkish president said Turkey welcomed Egypt's democratic transformation, adding that in time the country would build its own democratic experience.
"And the best way of doing it will be decided by the Egyptian people and politicians. The recent tensions and loss of lives in Egypt have saddened Turkey. Our hope is that democracy would prevail in the country without any interruption. Turkey respects the free political will of the Egyptian people," Gul said.
