Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently visited Turkey for the first time since taking office in 2014. This visit marked a significant turning point in the relationship between Egypt and Turkey, signaling efforts to mend ties that were strained for nearly a decade. The visit followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s earlier trip to Egypt this year, another step toward reconciliation between the two nations.
During the visit, the first meeting of the Egyptian-Turkish Strategic Cooperation Council took place, where both countries discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation and signed multiple agreements to solidify their partnership moving forward.
Boosting Trade and Economic Relations
A major focus of the visit was improving economic and trade relations between Egypt and Turkey. Both nations have set an ambitious goal of tripling their current trade volume to $15 billion. This significant increase in trade would mark a new era of economic collaboration, benefitting both countries.
As part of their efforts to boost trade, the two nations signed 18 agreements covering various sectors, including energy, agriculture, education, and tourism. These agreements aim to foster greater collaboration between Egypt and Turkey and open new avenues for economic growth.
Energy cooperation was another key topic of discussion. Egypt and Turkey are looking to expand their collaboration in natural gas and nuclear energy, areas that are critical for both nations’ energy security. Observers have noted that Turkey may also sell military drones to Egypt in the future, though no official confirmation has been made on this yet.
Joint Efforts on Regional Issues
During a joint news conference, both leaders emphasized their shared commitment to addressing ongoing political issues in the region. One of the key areas of concern for both Egypt and Turkey is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. The two countries called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Israel to prevent any further escalation of violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
In addition to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Egypt and Turkey discussed other regional challenges. These include the ongoing civil war in Libya, where the two nations have previously supported opposing factions. Despite their differences, both Egypt and Turkey are now focused on finding ways to collaborate and bring peace to the war-torn country.
The two nations also discussed issues related to Eastern Mediterranean gas extraction. With both countries having strategic interests in the region, they agreed to work together to avoid further conflict over resources. Additionally, they pledged to cooperate on maintaining stability in other areas such as Sudan and Somalia, where peace remains fragile.
From Conflict to Cooperation
A few years ago, such cooperation between Egypt and Turkey seemed unlikely. Tensions between the two countries began in 2013 when Egypt’s then-general el-Sisi led a coup to remove President Mohamed Morsi from power. Morsi’s political group, the Muslim Brotherhood, had strong backing from Turkey, which led to a breakdown in diplomatic relations between Egypt and Turkey.
For several years, Egypt and Turkey found themselves on opposite sides of various regional conflicts, particularly in Libya. There were even concerns that the two countries could end up in direct military conflict. However, tensions began to ease when Turkey-backed forces in Libya halted their advance, avoiding a direct confrontation with Egypt.
In 2020 and 2021, Turkey began to shift its foreign policy. Previously, Turkey had focused on projecting military power in conflicts across the region, including in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan. However, facing economic challenges and increasing international isolation, Turkey chose to take a more diplomatic approach, emphasizing trade and cooperation over military intervention.
This change in strategy allowed Turkey to begin repairing relations with Egypt. In 2021, Turkey took steps to soften its stance by ordering its media outlets to reduce their criticism of Egypt’s government. This move was part of a broader effort to rebuild diplomatic ties.
In July 2023, Egypt and Turkey fully restored diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors to each other’s capitals. This was a clear sign that both nations were ready to move past their previous tensions and work together for mutual benefit.
A New Chapter in Egypt and Turkey Relations
The recent meetings between Egypt and Turkey mark the beginning of a new chapter in their relations. Both nations have expressed a strong desire to work together on issues of mutual interest, including trade, energy, and regional stability.
By mending their ties, Egypt and Turkey aim to strengthen their influence in the region and contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts. Their cooperation is likely to have a significant impact on the political and economic landscape in the Middle East and North Africa.
With both Egypt and Turkey now focusing on diplomacy and trade, the world will be watching closely as Egypt and Turkey continue to rebuild their relationship and address the challenges facing their region. This renewed partnership represents a major shift in the regional balance of power and could play a key role in shaping the future of the Middle East.
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