Cairo and Ankara are looking towards a thaw in diplomatic relations as Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, is poised to undertake a state visit to Turkey. The invitation was extended by the recently re-elected Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and serves as a significant step in rebuilding relations between the two nations.
The information regarding President Al-Sisi’s impending visit was revealed by Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen, who holds the position of Ankara’s chargé d’affaires in Cairo, as per a report in the Daily Sabah last Friday.
It is understood from diplomatic channels, which were cited by NTV, a Turkish broadcaster, that President Erdoğan invited President Al-Sisi to visit Turkey after the latter phoned him to extend his congratulations on Erdoğan’s election triumph. The visit is speculated to take place shortly after the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, commencing on 28 June.
This latest progression in diplomatic affairs is in continuation of an earlier agreement made last month, where both nations concurred to bolster their relations through the exchange of ambassadors. This development is particularly noteworthy considering the protracted strain in relations since 2013, when Egypt underwent a military coup backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The coup led to the ousting of the late President Mohamed Morsi, who was known to share close political and ideological ties with President Erdoğan.
Following the coup, diplomatic relations between Egypt and Turkey have been sustained at a reduced level, with both nations being represented through chargés d’affaires.
Furthermore, the groundwork for enhanced diplomatic engagement has been building since November of the preceding year, when Presidents Al-Sisi and Erdoğan were seen meeting and exchanging pleasantries on the sidelines of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
As the Middle East grapples with myriad challenges, this potential rapprochement between two of the region’s influential nations could hold broader implications. Eyes will be on Ankara and Cairo to see how these developments unfold and what it could mean for the region’s stability and cooperation.
Image Credit: Reuters
