Turkey and Egypt Reconcile: A New Era of Bilateral Cooperation and Agreements
In a significant diplomatic turnaround, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made an official visit to Ankara this week, marking a reconciliation between Turkey and Egypt after years of strained relations. During this visit, President Sisi and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed their commitment to fostering a new era of collaboration, despite skepticism from some observers regarding the longevity of this newfound partnership.
The reception given to President Sisi was notably elaborate, featuring military parades that proudly displayed the Egyptian flag throughout Ankara, underscoring the importance of this diplomatic engagement. President Erdogan welcomed President Sisi with unprecedented warmth, acknowledging the shift in tone towards his former adversary, whom he had previously criticized as a “brutal dictator.”
This historic visit resulted in the signing of no fewer than 17 bilateral agreements, aimed at enhancing cooperation in various sectors including industry, trade, defense, health, environmental sustainability, and energy. Both leaders set an ambitious target to elevate their annual trade from just over €9 billion to exceeding €13 billion within five years. They also jointly addressed the urgent humanitarian situation resulting from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, highlighting their shared objectives within the region.
The relationship between Ankara and Cairo deteriorated drastically in 2013 following President Sisi’s ousting of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, who was an ally of Turkey. Notably, despite these tensions, economic exchanges between Turkey and Egypt persisted, with Turkey remaining Egypt’s fifth-largest trading partner and Egypt being Turkey’s largest in Africa.
In light of the challenging economic climates in both nations, there is a pressing necessity to bolster bilateral trade, which is perceived as a vital catalyst for collaboration. Improved relations could also lessen hostilities surrounding the prolonged civil strife in Libya, where both countries have historically supported opposing factions.
Analysts suggest that Libya is now a pivotal area where Turkey and Egypt must engage. Researcher Aya Burweila indicates that, due to entrenched interests and geographic considerations, collaboration on Libyan stability offers both nations lucrative opportunities compared to confrontation.
Moreover, the discussions between Sisi and Erdogan extended to the conflicts involving Somaliland as well as Egypt’s military engagements in Somalia, prompted by Cairo’s apprehensions over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam and its implications for Nile water access. This aspect also raises concerns regarding Turkey’s influence in Somalia, where it has made substantial investments.
While competition for influence persists, analysts such as Elem Eyrice-Tepeciklioglu suggest that initial cooperative efforts could focus on security and development initiatives. This fragile partnership, however, may soon face challenges as both nations vie for dominance in politically sensitive regions.
In conclusion, despite the historical rivalry and underlying tensions, the pressing need for economic cooperation and the potential for regional stability appear to guide the current trajectory of Turkey-Egypt relations. Both President Erdogan and President Sisi seem to recognize the significance of collaboration, particularly in the context of broader regional conflicts and economic pressures, suggesting that their recent rapprochement could be a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern politics.
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