Relations between Egypt and Turkey are close to entering a new phase of normalization after a decade-long rupture, in the midst of preparations for an upcoming visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and coinciding with the announcement of Ankara’s agreement to supply Egypt with its increasingly popular drones.
Speaking to Sky News Arabia, officials and observers believe that the development of relations between Cairo and Ankara will have broad repercussions on the security of the region, given the strategic dimension of the two countries and their weight in the region, at a time when fears are rising about the widening circle of threats given the continued fighting on various fronts. Whether what is happening in Gaza, what is happening in Sudan, or the issues that represented controversial points, most notably the Libyan crisis, the issue of demarcating maritime borders, and the energy file in the Mediterranean.
what’s going on?
- Erdogan is expected to visit Cairo on February 14 to meet his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, according to Bloomberg and the Turkish Anka news agency, citing Turkish officials. To improve the climate of relations between the two countries, in his first visit since Ankara and Cairo raised the level of relations between them again to the level of ambassadors.
- According to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Erdogan is scheduled to discuss bilateral and regional issues with Sisi, including trade, energy and security.
- In July 2023, the two countries announced the return of their diplomatic relations to the ambassadorial level, after nearly a decade of disagreement and mutual media skirmishes.
- The two presidents resumed communication during the past months, as they shook hands in November 2022 on the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, then they met on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in the Indian capital, New Delhi, last September. They also communicated several times, including in February 2023, after an earthquake. A devastating strike struck Turkey and Syria, killing tens of thousands. They then congratulated both of them on their victory in the presidential elections.
- Erdogan’s last visit to Egypt was in November 2012, after a similar visit during September 2011, when he was then Prime Minister.
- On Sunday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister revealed that his country had agreed to supply Egypt with its increasingly popular drones, saying that “normalizing our relations is important for Egypt to have certain technologies. We have an agreement to supply Egypt with drones and other technologies,” Reuters reported.
- The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone is one of the best drones in the world in terms of multiple uses, as it is 6.5 meters long and 12 meters wide, and has the ability to fly with a maximum payload of 650 kilograms, a range of up to 150 kilometers, and a speed of up to 70 knots. (130 kilometers per hour) and the ability to fly for more than 24 hours without stopping.
Strategic implications
In turn, the head of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and former Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Al-Orabi, in an exclusive interview with Sky News Arabia, considered that relations between Cairo and Ankara are moving in a positive and upward direction, “and this is a very important matter in itself.”
Al-Orabi said that this successive development in the course of relations will have many strategic repercussions, given the region’s need for the greatest degree of cooperation rather than confrontation.
He added: “I believe that the two countries have this realization, as they are interested in strengthening cooperation in order to maintain stability in this burning region, and the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement will be one of the pillars of stability in the region, which is now on the brink of a volcano.”
The head of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs described Erdogan’s visit to Cairo in the middle of this month as “coming at a very appropriate time, and will be a major step in supporting stability and trying to reach some solutions to issues that have become almost chronic in the region.”
Al-Orabi, who expressed widespread optimism about Erdogan’s increase, pointed out that the controversial points that represented an obstacle to the normalization of relations between the two countries, most notably the Libyan crisis and the position on the terrorist Brotherhood, were overcome, saying that “the challenges facing the region make the well-established countries in the region overcome some of the problems and look at them.” To the strategic dimension of the region in general, and certainly there is some difference in views regarding some issues, but the main and strategic goal is cooperation in order to achieve a reduction in tension in the region in which we live, and therefore Egypt and Turkey have the awareness to overcome some differences if they do not threaten national security. For either of them, this is the approach that the two countries will follow during the next stage.”
He pointed out that the war in Gaza will be at the top of the agenda during the upcoming visit of the Turkish President, explaining that “when the Egyptian-Turkish viewpoints meet, it would generate momentum to resolve this issue, facilitate the transit of humanitarian aid, and move forward with efforts to stop the fighting.”
He continued: “It is certain that the meeting between Presidents Sisi and Erdogan will have many positive aspects and reflect on all the regional problems in which we are living, especially since the two countries have an influence, intertwine, and intersection with many issues.”
An impressive move
The Turkish affairs expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Bashir Abdel Fattah, agreed with this, who said in his interview with “Sky News Arabia” website, “The Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement has gained great momentum recently, as there is a keenness on both sides to continue the rapprochement, and we have not witnessed a reaction.” “backwards, as was the case in previous situations. On the contrary, relations are taking great steps forward, and this reflects the keenness of both sides to continue rapprochement.”
Abdel Fattah pointed out that Cairo and Ankara were able to overcome the controversial files, as they took serious steps in this context, especially with the Turkish measures towards supporters of the terrorist Brotherhood, stressing that the remaining controversial issues, such as the conflict in Libya and the energy file in the Eastern Mediterranean, will be addressed, expecting formulas to be reached. A joint consensus to avoid any clashes in these files and maximize the gains of the two countries.
He pointed out that the Palestinian issue will come to the top of the agenda of the discussions during Erdogan’s visit to Cairo, given that Egypt and Turkey are pivotal countries that have close ties to both sides of the conflict and can formulate visions and ideas to end the fighting and market any initiatives reached regarding that crisis.
The visit will also focus on bilateral relations between the two countries and how to develop them, especially the economic file, according to the Turkish affairs expert at Al-Ahram Center, who believes that the Turkish president will be accompanied by a group of ministers, businessmen and economists in order to deepen trade and economic cooperation between the two sides, which was not greatly affected by the state of estrangement because Businessmen on both sides are keen to continue trade relations that benefit each party.
According to data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics in Egypt, the value of trade exchange between Egypt and Turkey increased to reach $7.7 billion during 2022, compared to $6.7 billion during 2021.
Abdel Fattah pointed out that there is an Egyptian-Turkish ambition to reach the volume of trade exchange to about $20 billion in the coming period, describing Erdogan’s visit as “an important shift in the path of normalizing relations.”
He explained that the Turkish announcement of the deal of marches to Egypt represents a strengthening of the bonds of military cooperation and is a very important axis in emphasizing the strength of relations, as military maneuvers were taking place in previous years before the boycott, and therefore these steps will be built on in the future and we may witness joint military manufacturing to produce systems. Defensiveness.
Prominent regional roles
From Istanbul, Turkish political researcher Javad Gok said, in an interview with Sky News Arabia, that Erdogan’s visit will be very important in the way of normalizing relations, adding: “We are not talking now about returning normal relations because we have passed this stage, but rather deepening them by looking at Because of the weight and status of the two countries.”
Gok explained that everyone in Turkey welcomes the Turkish President’s visit to Cairo, including the opposition parties that encourage Erdogan to take this position, “because Turkey and Egypt cannot sever relations for this period of time, and therefore there have been previous political mistakes and the Turkish government is now working to fix them.” “.
He stated that the discussions on the war in Gaza will be an important opportunity to show the unified position of Egypt and Turkey on many issues, explaining that Erdogan will benefit from that issue to improve relations with Egypt, as he will recognize Egypt’s role and important position in the region, and will request assistance in bringing more humanitarian aid into the country. Gaza.
Gok added, “Through the Palestine issue and what is happening in Gaza, Presidents Erdogan and Sisi will reach a joint approach and practical steps regarding what is happening there, because everyone recognizes Egypt’s main role in the region at this time.”
However, the Turkish political researcher believes that outstanding issues, such as the situation in Libya, will not be addressed or discussed further during the discussions, and will be referred to the foreign ministers and the diplomatic track to reach an agreement on it, concluding his speech by emphasizing that “political normalization and economic cooperation will be a priority.”
2024-02-05 14:43:30
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