Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, has returned to Egypt following an official visit to the Republic of Turkey, accompanied by a high-ranking military delegation.

During the visit, Lieutenant General Khalifa was accorded a formal reception, which included a guard of honor and the playing of the national anthems of both countries by military bands.

The Chief of Staff held a meeting with General Metin Gürak, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, on the sidelines of the fourth session of the Egyptian-Turkish Military Committee.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen military cooperation, particularly in areas such as joint training, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of expertise between the two Armed Forces.

Both Chiefs of Staff signed the final session minutes, underscoring their mutual commitment to expanding military collaboration and partnership in the coming period, the Egyptian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Lieutenant General Khalifa also met with Turkish Minister of National Defense, Mr. Yaşar Güler, to whom he conveyed greetings and appreciation from General Abdel Mageed Saqr, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production.

During the meeting, he expressed Egypt’s pride in the longstanding military relations between the two nations. Minister Güler, in turn, praised Egypt's pivotal role in regional and international affairs, particularly in addressing current challenges and enhancing joint efforts to promote regional stability.

As part of the visit, Lieutenant General Khalifa paid tribute at the mausoleum of the late President Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, where he laid a wreath in his honor.

The visit also included discussions with the President of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority to explore avenues of mutual cooperation, followed by a tour of several leading defense manufacturing companies. These visits featured presentations on the advanced production capabilities of Turkish defense industries, highlighting opportunities for increased technical collaboration in military manufacturing for the benefit of both nations.

Additionally, the Chief of Staff visited the headquarters of the Turkish Special Forces, where he observed a series of operational demonstrations and training activities showcasing the proficiency and readiness of Turkish special operations units. (Source & Photo © Egyptian Ministry of Defense)