Egypt-Turkey Strategic Dialogue kicks off in Cairo

The Egyptian-Turkish Strategic Dialogue sessions are set to kick off Today, presided by host state Premier Essam Sharaf and visiting counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan arrived late last night and is on an official three-day visit accompanied by a high-level delegation, with six ministers and 200 top Turkish businessmen and investors in the group. The top officials are to inaugurate dialogue and witness the signing of 11 agreements and Memos of Understanding covering several fields. The premiers are to discuss developments in the Middle East region, with special focus on Syria, Libya, and the Palestinian cause. The visit is seen as a turning point in economic and trade relations between the two countries. Turkey is in the 47th slot among major investors in Egypt, with overall investments of USD 1.5 billion, while Egypt has investments of some USD 5 million in Turkey. In a first-of-its-kind reception, some 3,000 people flocked to Cairo Airport waving Egyptian and Turkish flags for Erdogan's arrival. The Turkish premier was greeted upon arrival by his counterpart Essam Sharaf.