Egypt and Turkey have taken a significant step towards normalizing their diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors to each other’s countries for the first time in a decade.
In separate press releases, the foreign ministries of Egypt and Turkey expressed their commitment to developing bilateral relations and cited improved diplomatic ties as the reason for the appointments.
The decision signifies a remarkable turnaround in the relationship between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Their ties had soured when Sissi, then Egypt’s Defense Minister, ousted his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi, a close ally of Turkey and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Erdogan had previously declared that he would never engage with someone like Sissi. However, signs of a thaw emerged in May 2021 when a Turkish delegation visited Egypt to explore the possibility of normalizing relations.
In November of the same year, the leaders met in Qatar and shared a handshake, symbolizing a fresh start in their bilateral ties.
While trade between Egypt and Turkey has persisted throughout the strained relationship, there are still areas of disagreement.
Egypt has expressed concern over Turkey’s hospitality towards Arab journalists critical of their governments, particularly those affiliated with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.
Despite the remaining differences, the appointment of ambassadors highlights the mutual desire to enhance cooperation and indicates a positive trajectory for Egypt-Turkey relations.
In 2022, Turkey was Egypt’s top importer, with trade between the two nations valued at four billion dollars. The recent developments open up possibilities for further collaboration in various fields and set the stage for increased dialogue and engagement between the two countries.