Egypt is advancing strategic energy and mining partnerships with Turkey and Azerbaijan, highlighted by Turkish firm OZ Mining launching gold exploration studies in the Egyptian Eastern Desert and the activation of a long-term oil and gas agreement with Azerbaijan’s SOCAR.
The developments emerged during discussions held by Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources KarimBadawi on the sidelines of Baku Energy Week.
In talks with Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, which followed up on April discussions in Istanbul, the officials focused on achieving a qualitative leap in bilateral oil, natural gas, and mining relations. The ministers explored expanding Turkish investments in Egypt’s mining sector, specifically noting the commencement of gold exploration studies by OZ Mining in the Eastern Desert. They also discussed exchanging technical expertise and modern technologies to add value to natural resources.
Badawi and Bayraktar emphasised the importance of enhancing regional energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, building on the strategic infrastructure and geographic locations of both countries to support energy security, regional integration, and mutual interests. Badawi subsequently invited Bayraktar and Turkish mining firms to attend the exceptional expanded edition of the Egypt Mining Forum, scheduled for September in the New Administrative Capital.
Separately, Badawi met with a delegation from the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), led by Vice President Elshad Nassirov, to operationalise a long-term strategic partnership. The talks aimed to accelerate cooperation based on a framework agreement signed between the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and SOCAR at the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES 2026) in Cairo.
During the meeting, which was attended by EGPC Chief Executive Salah Abdel Karim and the ministry’s General Manager of Contract Monitoring for Petroleum and Mining Agreements Youssef Marwan, Badawi stated that Egypt’s advanced infrastructure in refining, trading, storage, and re-exporting, alongside a large domestic market and manufacturing base, presents promising exploration and production opportunities for SOCAR to expand in the Egyptian market.
Badawi noted that oil and gas remain a main pillar of cooperation between Cairo and Baku, backed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Egyptian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hossam Eldin Reda attended both the Turkish and Azerbaijani bilateral meetings.
The talks took place during Badawi’s official visit to Baku Energy Week, which runs from June 1 to 3 and was inaugurated by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Representing Egypt upon an official invitation, Badawi is scheduled to participate as a keynote speaker in the main high-level ministerial session at the Baku Forum on Saturday afternoon.
The wider event, which includes the Baku Energy Forum, the Caspian International Oil and Gas Exhibition, and the Caspian Clean Energy Exhibition, gathers representatives from 44 countries, government officials, the European Union, investors, and major international energy companies to foster international cooperation and build strategic industry partnerships.
