Last updated on September 5th, 2024 at 03:49 pm
On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi started an official trip to Turkey, therefore signifying a turning point in the relations between the two regional heavyweights. The first visit by an Egyptian president to Turkey in twelve years emphasizes the cordializing of relations that had fallen apart following Egypt’s political turmoil in 2013.
Beginning in February, the diplomatic thaw started when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Egypt for the first time in almost ten years. Since then, both leaders have tried to heal relations by appointing ambassadors and other diplomatic initiatives under progress.
Following the 2013 ouster of Mohamed Morsi, the first democratically elected president of Egypt, a figurehead of the Muslim Brotherhood that Turkey had long backed, relations between the two countries soured. Under el-Sisi, then Egypt’s army chief overseeing the removal amid broad demonstrations against Morsi’s government, the divide grew even more severe.
Since their reunion, el-Sisi and Erdogan are set to sign some twenty bilateral agreements during this second summit. These accords seek to improve cooperation in several important areas, including energy, defense, tourism, health, culture, and education.
Talks will also address urgent world and regional concerns, with an especially eye toward Israel’s latest strikes on the occupied Palestinian territories. Turkey has praised Egypt’s mediation of peace negotiations in Gaza and sent thousands of tons of relief for Palestinians via Egypt, therefore affirming Cairo’s humanitarian leadership in that area.
Keep Reading
The high-level Egyptian delegation accompanying el-Sisi include business leaders and authorities, therefore highlighting the economic aspirations of both countries. Previously, Erdogan has said he wants bilateral commerce between Egypt and Turkey to rise from the current $10 billion to $15 billion.
With common objectives in regional stability and economic development, Cairo’s increasing cooperation with Ankara marks a fresh chapter of strategic alliance.
