Turkish President Erdoğan Begins Strategic Diplomatic Tour to Saudi Arabia and Egypt
First foreign trip of 2026 underscores Ankara’s focus on deepening regional cooperation, economic ties and collective engagement on Middle East issues
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will undertake official visits to Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week, marking his first international trip of the year and signalling Ankara’s intensified engagement in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Erdoğan is scheduled to travel to Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where leaders are expected to focus on bolstering bilateral cooperation, expanding trade and investment ties, and addressing pressing regional developments.
The visit reflects ongoing rapprochement between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as shared interests in stabilising the broader region.
Following his stop in Saudi Arabia, Erdoğan will proceed to Cairo on Wednesday at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to co-chair the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Discussions in Egypt are set to encompass bilateral relations, economic cooperation and broader geopolitical challenges, with particular emphasis on the humanitarian situation and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Erdoğan is also expected to participate in a Türkiye-Egypt Business Forum aimed at fostering private sector partnerships and boosting commercial exchanges.
The diplomatic tour comes amid complex regional dynamics including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, economic pressures and shifting alliances.
In Riyadh, Erdoğan’s agenda will be supported by a delegation of Turkish business leaders and officials, highlighting the economic dimension of the visit alongside strategic diplomacy.
Turkish officials have noted that discussions on trade, investment, energy and defence cooperation could yield expanded collaboration under frameworks such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader economic engagement with Middle Eastern partners.
In Cairo, the revived bilateral cooperation mechanism underscores a renewed phase in Türkiye-Egypt ties following years of diplomatic distance.
Both governments have signalled their intent to leverage economic opportunities and align on regional issues while enhancing mutual understanding on shared priorities.
A central theme across both meetings will be coordinated approaches to regional stability, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic initiatives designed to contribute to peace efforts and sustainable cooperation in the region.
Erdoğan is scheduled to travel to Riyadh on Tuesday for talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where leaders are expected to focus on bolstering bilateral cooperation, expanding trade and investment ties, and addressing pressing regional developments.
The visit reflects ongoing rapprochement between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, as well as shared interests in stabilising the broader region.
Following his stop in Saudi Arabia, Erdoğan will proceed to Cairo on Wednesday at the invitation of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to co-chair the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Discussions in Egypt are set to encompass bilateral relations, economic cooperation and broader geopolitical challenges, with particular emphasis on the humanitarian situation and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Erdoğan is also expected to participate in a Türkiye-Egypt Business Forum aimed at fostering private sector partnerships and boosting commercial exchanges.
The diplomatic tour comes amid complex regional dynamics including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, economic pressures and shifting alliances.
In Riyadh, Erdoğan’s agenda will be supported by a delegation of Turkish business leaders and officials, highlighting the economic dimension of the visit alongside strategic diplomacy.
Turkish officials have noted that discussions on trade, investment, energy and defence cooperation could yield expanded collaboration under frameworks such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and broader economic engagement with Middle Eastern partners.
In Cairo, the revived bilateral cooperation mechanism underscores a renewed phase in Türkiye-Egypt ties following years of diplomatic distance.
Both governments have signalled their intent to leverage economic opportunities and align on regional issues while enhancing mutual understanding on shared priorities.
A central theme across both meetings will be coordinated approaches to regional stability, humanitarian assistance and diplomatic initiatives designed to contribute to peace efforts and sustainable cooperation in the region.
