ISTANBUL: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will meet his Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, the Turkish presidency said, as the two seal their reconciliation. The visit marks a significant step in mending ties between the two nations after years of strained relations.
The meeting, announced by the Turkish presidency, follows a thaw in diplomatic relations that began with Erdogan’s visit to Cairo in February. Both leaders have expressed a commitment to turning over a “new leaf” and enhancing cooperation in the Middle East, as well as strengthening trade ties.
The relationship between Turkey and Egypt deteriorated sharply in 2013 when Sisi, then Egypt’s defense minister, led a military coup against President Mohamed Morsi, a figure allied with Turkey and a prominent member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Erdogan publicly condemned Sisi’s actions and vowed never to engage with him.
However, recent years have seen a warming of relations, driven by shared interests and regional dynamics. Both leaders have found common ground on various issues, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Despite the political discord, trade between Turkey and Egypt continued throughout the period of strained relations. Turkey remains Egypt’s fifth-largest trading partner, and Egypt is Turkey’s largest trading partner in Africa.
During their previous meeting in Cairo, Erdogan and Sisi pledged to deepen cooperation across various sectors, including economic and diplomatic arenas.
