Ashraf AboArafe
Cairo – Rafah – Al-Arish – A historic Turkish parliamentary delegation of 30 members, representing various political parties, carried out a landmark visit to Egypt and the Rafah border crossing last week. The visit, the largest of its kind in the history of Turkish–Egyptian parliamentary relations, was held in close coordination between the foreign ministries of both nations.
The delegation, led by Hasan Basri Yalçın, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for Human Rights, was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz and Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen. Their program began in Cairo, where the delegation held high-level meetings with both chambers of the Egyptian Parliament.
In the House of Representatives, the delegation met with Karim Darwish, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss Turkish–Egyptian cooperation and their aligned positions on Gaza. In the Senate, discussions with Dr. Hazem Omar, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted the joint stances of both nations on the Palestinian cause as well as wider regional issues.
The delegation then traveled to Al-Arish, where they were warmly received by North Sinai Governor Major General Khaled Megahed. Talks at Al-Arish Airport focused on Egypt’s efforts to secure a ceasefire, facilitate humanitarian aid, and the close cooperation between Cairo and Ankara on Gaza.
Later, the delegation proceeded to the Rafah border crossing, where they addressed international and Turkish media. They underlined the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire, demanded Israel’s full reopening of the border for uninterrupted humanitarian aid, and condemned the ongoing massacres, famine, and collective punishment in Gaza. The delegation also expressed gratitude to Egyptian authorities for their support and facilitation of the visit.
Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen, in remarks shared on his official X and Facebook accounts, extended heartfelt thanks to Governor Khaled Megahed for his warm reception and for Egypt’s vital role in delivering humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
This unprecedented visit, both in size and symbolism, marks the largest Turkish parliamentary delegation ever to visit Egypt, underscoring a deepening spirit of solidarity and cooperation between the two nations in support of the Palestinian people.
