Türkiye is ready to sign an agreement with Egypt on maritime boundary delimitation based on mutual interests, the Turkish National Defence Ministry has said.
"We once again emphasise that we are ready to sign an Agreement on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas with Egypt in line with mutual interests," it said in a statement on Wednesday.
The potential deal could grant Cairo a larger maritime jurisdiction than a potential agreement with Greece, it added.
"It is assessed that if Egypt signs such an agreement with our country, it would gain more than 15,000 square kilometres (5,792 square miles) of additional maritime jurisdiction compared to a potential agreement it could conclude with Greece."
The ministry stressed that Türkiye would continue protecting its legitimate rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of international law while contributing to regional peace, security and stability.
The ministry also hailed Libya's approval last week of the memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdiction signed with Türkiye in 2019.
"The approval by the Libyan House of Representatives on October 20 of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Delimitation of Maritime Jurisdiction Areas, signed between our country and Libya in 2019, is an important development supporting our country's approach based on international law and the principles of equity, which takes into account the legitimate rights and interests of the relevant coastal states," the spokesperson said.
Türkiye welcomes efforts to strengthen security in Sinjar
During the weekly press briefing at the ministry, the ministry’s spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk welcomed efforts by the Iraqi central government to strengthen state authority and normalise conditions in the Sinjar region.
"Ending the presence of terrorist organisations in the region and ensuring security through Iraq's official security forces is an important development for establishing lasting peace and stability in Sinjar and achieving the goal of a terror-free region," the ministry said.
It added that the process is being closely monitored in coordination with relevant Turkish state institutions.
Defence cooperation and Kosovo mission
The spokesman stressed that the Turkish army continues contributing to regional and global peace, security and stability through cooperation with friendly and allied countries, training and advisory activities, and participation in multinational missions.
He said the Türkiye-Albania Naval Forces Cooperation Meeting is scheduled to take place in Türkiye from November 2 to 5.
"Under the Türkiye-Greece Confidence-Building Measures Implementation Plan, the commander of the Greek Tactical Air Force and an accompanying delegation will visit our Combat Air Force commander on November 3-5," he said.
He added that Türkiye assumed the deputy command of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) for a one-year term during a ceremony held on Tuesday.
"As during our country's command of KFOR, we will carry out the deputy command with an understanding of impartiality, transparency and professionalism, continuing to contribute to Kosovo's security and the preservation of regional peace and stability," he said.
Joint naval exercise planned with Egypt
Akturk said national and international training and exercise activities continue uninterrupted to enhance the Turkish Armed Forces' effectiveness and deterrence across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace.
He said the National Anatolian Phoenix Exercise, named after martyred Air Force pilot Major Ibrahim Bolat, is under way in Konya and will conclude on November 6.
The Crossed Swords Exercise, to be conducted remotely in Estonia, will begin on November 2.
He also announced that the Sea of Friendship-2026 Exercise will take place in Alexandria, Egypt, from November 4 to 9, with the participation of Turkish and Egyptian naval units and personnel.
The exercise will include surface and anti-submarine warfare, air defence operations and underwater offensive training.
He said the Turkish frigates TCG Gokceada and TCG Yildirim will begin their deployment to Somalia on October 30 to transport supplies by sea and conduct personnel rotations.
On the same day, a Turkish airborne early warning and control aircraft will conduct a mission flight in NATO airspace over Romania as part of assurance measures.
Turkish fighter jets will also participate in the Nexus Ace training in the Mediterranean alongside a NATO AWACS aircraft.
New defence systems enter service
The spokesperson said Türkiye's domestic defence industry continues strengthening the Turkish Armed Forces' deterrence and operational capabilities through critical systems developed for land, naval, air and cyber operations.
He announced that the Land Forces Command completed inspection and acceptance procedures for various quantities of Karayel Hull Boats and Kablolu Kamikaze-2 uncrewed ground vehicles over the past week.
Turkish defence manufacturer Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) also delivered various quantities of MAM-15 sniper rifles to defence industry stakeholders.
He added that MKE will participate in Euronaval 2026, one of the world's leading international naval defence and maritime technology exhibitions, scheduled for November 3 to 6 in Paris, France.
