Politics Détente between Turkey and Egypt - al-Sisi in Ankara for the first time
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has visited Turkey for the first time, furthering the rapprochement between the two countries. His visit to Turkey lays the foundation for further cooperation, al-Sisi said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. The two signed numerous agreements. Erdogan said that they wanted to expand their cooperation in areas such as trade, energy and defense. In the Gaza war, they represented a common position.
04.09.2024, 17:25
SDA
Al-Sisi emphasized that close coordination between Turkey and Egypt was necessary in view of the crises in the region. Among other things, there was agreement with Turkey on the need to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Alongside the USA and Qatar, Egypt has been trying to mediate between Israel and the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza war for months. However, negotiations are at a standstill.
A "turning point" in relations in February
Relations between Turkey and Egypt have been tense for years, partly due to Erdogan's proximity to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, against whose supporters Egypt is taking very harsh action. The political dispute escalated in 2013. At the time, the Turkish government had repeatedly described the removal of the then Islamist President Mohammed Morsi in Egypt by the army as an illegitimate "military coup". Al-Sisi came to power after Morsi. Both countries withdrew their ambassadors in 2013 and did not send them again until 2023.
In February, Erdogan visited Egypt for the first time since 2012 and spoke of a turning point in relations. Al-Sisi and Erdogan had previously met at the end of 2022 on the sidelines of the World Cup in Qatar.
