![Justice and Development (AK) Party's Spokesman, Omer Celik holds a press conference as AK Party Central Decision and Executive Board (MYK) meeting continues in Ankara, Turkey on June 07, 2021 [Esra Hacioğlu/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/20210607_2_48649250_65861829.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Turkey began normalisation talks with Egypt, Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) spokesperson Omer Celik said in a press conference yesterday, the Anadolu Agency reports.
Celik stressed that there are important issues the two countries need to discuss and find solutions for, including developments in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Egypt is one of the important partners of our country. With 21 flights per week, Turkish Airlines has the highest number of flights in the African continent to Cairo. In 2020, our total trade volume was $4.85 billion,” he explained.
Last Wednesday, Turkey held a diplomatic meeting with Egypt and UAE to end a years-long rift.
After an eight-year rift between Egypt and Turkey over the war in Libya and a dispute over the Eastern Mediterranean waters, Ankara and Cairo began talks in May in an effort to improve ties.
READ: Turkey ready to re-establish relations with Egypt for the sake of regional stability