Emphasizing their willingness to make progress on a number of files, as well as the need to take additional steps to facilitate normalization of their relations, Egypt and Turkey agreed to continue exploratory consultations.

This was in a joint statement, following the second round of consultations between the delegations of the two countries, chaired by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sadat Ünal and Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sindh Loza, held on 7 and 8 September.

The two delegations addressed bilateral issues of common interest, as well as a number of regional issues, such as the situation in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Palestine and the Eastern Mediterranean, where the Egyptian delegation reiterated its rejection of Turkish "violations" of the sovereignty of the three States.

Noting that yesterday's talks touched on the dossier of bilateral relations between the two countries, and that progress had been made in that regard, diplomatic sources said that there had been "significant progress" in the talks in Ankara between the Egyptian and Turkish sides.

The Egyptian diplomatic delegation called for the implementation of Security Council resolutions and the need for mercenaries and Turkish forces to leave Libya.

The sources confirmed that the extradition file in Egypt would be followed by the security track, while the Turkish delegation confirmed its understanding of Egyptian concerns in this regard.

The Turkish side had indicated its desire to "whistle" all problems with Egypt.

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that "the process of normalization with Egypt is continuing, and for that we have developed a road map."

He added: "My dialogue with the Egyptian Foreign Minister forgave Shoukry was continuing even when relations between the two countries were at a standstill. Now the process of normalization has begun.