Ahmed Aboul Gheit

The 15th Turkish-Arab Economic Forum commenced in Istanbul on Thursday, featuring high-level officials from Türkiye and Arab countries.

The one-day event gathers ministers, experts, representatives and economists from various institutions and the private sector to discuss key agenda items.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to attend a meeting of the Gaza Contact Group on Friday in Madrid.

The group, formed by members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League, aims to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the West Bank.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in El-Alamein, northern Egypt.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting on social media platform X, but neither side disclosed any details about the discussions.

The meeting came as both countries sought to improve ties. 

Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis is set to visit Egypt on Wednesday, where he will meet with his counterpart, Sameh Shoukry. Following discussions involving delegations from both countries, the two ministers will make statements to the press.

Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry said on March 23 that the kingdom is in talks with Syria to resume consular services for the first time since 2012, Saudi state media reported.

State-owned Al Ekhbariya TV reported the discussions, citing a source in the Saudi foreign ministry. Saudi and Syrian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

The failure to hold a consultative meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in the Libyan capital is seen as evidence of the diplomatic isolation of the Tripoli government, even among Arab states. 

Indicatively, of the 22 countries in the Arab League, 15 did not attend, and neither did its secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. 

Cairo – Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon stressed the importance of cooperation and dialogue in dealing with key global challenges as she addressed a ministerial of the Arab League in Egypt’s Cairo on Tuesday. She also presented to the ministers Slovenia’s bid for the UN Security Council in 2024-25.

The Arab League has warned Israel about crossing "a red line" in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the sacred city of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, an Israeli minister said the metal detectors that triggered the violence will remain.