Egypt and Turkey have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in the use of maritime routes and regional and international transport corridors, as both countries seek to improve connectivity between Asia, Africa and Europe.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir and Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu on the sidelines of the Turkish Maritime Summit.
According to Egypt’s Ministry of Transport, the memorandum focuses on expanding cooperation in the use of strategic trade routes, including the Middle Corridor and the Iraqi Development Road, with the goal of improving transit transport and enhancing regional logistics networks.
The two sides also agreed to explore mechanisms to increase the efficiency of these corridors and study the development of additional transport routes in cooperation with neighbouring countries.
El-Wazir said the agreement marks the beginning of broader cooperation in international transport corridors, maritime transport and logistics.
“Integration in the transport sector is no longer an option but an urgent necessity,” he said, citing challenges facing global supply chains, climate change and growing international trade demands.
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He highlighted Turkey’s strategic position linking Europe and Asia through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, while noting Egypt’s importance as the gateway to the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
According to El-Wazir, combining the logistical advantages of both countries could strengthen trade and shipping links between Asia, Africa and Europe while facilitating the movement of goods and passengers.
He also called for closer transport cooperation among Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in maritime and railway infrastructure.
The Egyptian minister referred to plans for a railway connection between El-Arish and Taba, ongoing discussions on linking Egypt to the Hejaz Railway network, and cooperation in commercial shipbuilding.
He said Egypt remains committed to its strategy of becoming a regional hub for transport, logistics and transit trade, adding that Cairo is ready to support new investments, particularly from Turkish companies.
For his part, Uraloğlu said the memorandum provides the overall framework for cooperation on regional connectivity projects, particularly the Iraqi Development Road and the proposed New Hejaz Road.
He added that the next stage will focus on preparing the technical studies required to implement joint projects under the agreement.
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