Barran Press
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, for a historic visit marking a significant step towards mending strained relations between the two countries after 12 years of tension. This is Sisi's first visit to Turkey since 2012, following a thaw in relations that began with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Cairo in February.
The Turkish Presidency's communication office stated that the visit would focus on reviewing Turkish-Egyptian relations in all aspects and discussing potential joint steps to further develop cooperation. The statement also mentioned that the leaders would exchange views on current regional and global issues, particularly the Israeli attacks on Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Sisi's visit comes after Erdogan's groundbreaking trip to Cairo in February, which was his first visit to Egypt since 2012. Observers viewed this as a major step towards rebuilding ties that had been severely strained for a decade.
The breakdown in relations between Ankara and Cairo began in 2013 following the Egyptian military's removal of President Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, after popular protests against his one-year rule. Morsi, an ally of Turkey, was considered Egypt's first democratically elected president. He had visited Turkey in 2012 during his presidency.
The Egyptian presidency stated that Sisi's visit "represents a new milestone in strengthening relations between the two countries, building on President Erdogan's historic visit to Egypt last February, and establishing a new era of friendship and joint cooperation between the two countries, both bilaterally and at the regional level, which faces significant challenges requiring consultation and coordination between the two countries."
The statement added that Sisi's meetings in Turkey would address "ways to enhance bilateral relations in various fields, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international issues of common interest, foremost among them efforts to cease fire in the Gaza Strip, end the humanitarian tragedy in the Strip, and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East."
Erdogan welcomed Sisi at Ankara Airport before they departed together in a motorcade to the presidential palace for a reception ceremony. They will co-chair the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Turkey and Egypt.
Sisi stated on X (formerly Twitter): "I express my deep pleasure at my first visit to the Republic of Turkey and my meeting with His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Our two ancient nations are bound by deep-rooted historical and popular relations, as well as strong political ties since the founding of the Republic of Turkey."
He added: "Perhaps my visit today, and before it President Erdogan's visit to Cairo, reflects the shared will to begin a new era of friendship and cooperation between Egypt and Turkey, based on their pivotal role in their regional and international environments, and in a way that meets the aspirations and ambitions of our two brotherly peoples."
Relations between the two countries began to improve in 2020 when Ankara launched a diplomatic campaign to ease tensions with regional rivals, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Last year, Turkey and Egypt exchanged ambassadors. Ankara announced it would supply Cairo with armed drones. Erdogan stated in Cairo that the two countries aimed to boost trade to $15 billion in the near future from the current $10 billion.
The Turkish state-owned Anadolu Agency reported that the two countries will sign around 20 agreements to strengthen trade relations and cooperation in the fields of energy, defense, tourism, health, culture, and education. It added that cooperation in renewable energy and liquefied natural gas is also expected to be strengthened.
Turkey, which condemns Israel for its war in the Gaza Strip, has sent thousands of tons of aid to Egypt for Palestinians and has praised Cairo's humanitarian efforts and its role as a negotiator in ceasefire talks.