Egypt’s El-Sisi to Meet Turkish Counterpart Erdogan in Ankara, Signaling Warming Ties
Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is set to meet with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, marking a major step in the reconciliation of the two regional powers, Bloomberg reports.
This meeting, El-Sisi’s first visit to Turkey since assuming office in 2014, signals a thawing of relations after years of tensions.
The two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, energy cooperation, defense agreements, and regional stability. Both leaders have condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for a ceasefire. They are also likely to play key roles in the reconstruction of Gaza once the conflict ends.
The visit comes just six months after Erdogan’s historic trip to Cairo, his first in over a decade. This rapprochement reflects a broader shift in Turkish foreign policy, with Erdogan seeking to strengthen ties with Arab nations to boost the Turkish economy through increased investment and exports. He has pursued similar strategies with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in recent years.
Turkey and Egypt had been at odds for a long period, primarily due to the 2013 military-backed overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist leader close to Ankara. Erdogan, a vocal supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood, which Mursi belonged to, was a staunch critic of El-Sisi’s government.
Further fueling tensions, the two countries supported opposing sides in regional conflicts, including the battle for the Libyan capital. Turkey also supported Qatar during an economic embargo by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain that lasted from 2017 to 2021.
The upcoming meeting is expected to conclude some 20 cooperation agreements, aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $15 billion. Key areas of cooperation include Turkey’s plan to import liquefied natural gas from Egypt and the resumption of freight shipping between the Turkish port of Mersin and Alexandria in Egypt. Turkey is also seeking buyers for its armed drones and armored vehicles.
