Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will embark on a historic visit to Turkey on Wednesday, marking the first presidential-level visit in 12 years. This visit symbolizes a significant thawing of relations between the two regional powers, which have been strained for a decade. The visit follows Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to Cairo in February, his first since 2012, marking a major step towards rebuilding ties.
The Turkish presidency’s communications office has stated that the visit will focus on reviewing Turkey-Egypt relations in their entirety and exploring joint steps to enhance cooperation. The discussions will also encompass current regional and global issues, particularly the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
President Sisi is expected to arrive in Ankara at 2 pm (1100 GMT), with a joint press conference scheduled for 5 pm (1400 GMT).
The deterioration of relations between Ankara and Cairo dates back to 2013, when Egypt’s then-army chief Sisi led the ouster of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Mursi. Mursi, an ally of Turkey, had become Egypt’s first democratically elected president the previous year. He visited Turkey as president in 2012.
However, a diplomatic thaw began in 2020 when Turkey launched a charm offensive to ease tensions with estranged regional rivals, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey and Egypt mutually reappointed ambassadors last year, and Ankara has pledged to provide Cairo with armed drones.
During his visit to Cairo, President Erdogan expressed his ambition to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion in the short term from its current level of $10 billion. Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency has reported that the two countries are set to sign around 20 agreements to strengthen commercial ties and collaborate on energy, defense, tourism, health, culture, and education. The plan also includes deepening cooperation on renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Turkey, a vocal critic of Israel’s war against Hamas militants in Gaza, has dispatched thousands of tonnes of aid to Egypt for Palestinian refugees. The country has also commended Cairo’s humanitarian efforts and its role as a negotiator in ceasefire talks.
President Sisi’s visit to Ankara represents a significant moment in the evolving relationship between Turkey and Egypt, offering the potential for greater cooperation and stability in the region. The discussions during the visit are anticipated to be crucial in shaping the future of bilateral ties and addressing shared regional challenges.
