Egyptian president to visit Türkiye soon

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi is scheduled to visit Türkiye on September 4 for a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Although no official announcements had been made as of August 23, reports indicate that the leaders will discuss several key issues, including the Gaza conflict and their bilateral relations, and will convene their high-level strategic cooperation council, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The agenda for the meeting is expected to include efforts to address the ongoing war in Gaza, seek a cease-fire, and hold Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government accountable. They will also explore collaborative measures to promote stability and peace in conflict regions such as Palestine, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia.

Additionally, the leaders are set to focus on increasing trade between their countries to $15 billion (TL 510 billion) and are anticipated to discuss further cooperation in sectors like LNG, renewable energy, mining, healthcare, tourism, and defense. They will also consider enhancing educational, media, and communication ties between Turkish and Egyptian universities.

This visit is a reciprocal gesture following Erdogan’s significant trip to Cairo in February, which aimed to normalize relations after a decade of tensions. The visit comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, including failed truce negotiations between Hamas and Israel, which Cairo is mediating.

Türkiye and Egypt enhanced their diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors last year, having previously maintained only charge d'affaires-level diplomacy since the 2013 military coup that ousted former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.

Following Morsi’s removal, diplomatic ties were downgraded, though economic relations remained largely intact. In 2022, Türkiye was Egypt's largest export market, with imports totaling $4 billion. In 2023, Egypt began allowing Turkish citizens to obtain visas on arrival, boosting tourism prospects.

The normalization of relations gained momentum after a handshake between Erdogan and el-Sissi at the 2022 World Cup in Doha. Progress continued with the February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye, Erdogan’s reelection in May, and the appointment of ambassadors in July. Since then, the leaders have met at the G-20 summit and discussed various issues by phone, including the recent escalation of the Palestine-Israel conflict that began on October 7.

Egypt plays a key role in addressing the Palestine-Israel conflict and has hosted talks with Hamas during Erdogan’s visit to Cairo. It is also the sole country with a secure border crossing for Gazans and humanitarian aid delivery.

Türkiye, the largest aid provider to Gaza, has been sending aid through the Rafah crossing with Egyptian cooperation. Analysts suggest that the collaboration between Türkiye and Egypt could advance efforts to end Israel’s occupation policies and address the Palestinian issue.

Moreover, improved relations may facilitate progress in the Eastern Mediterranean, where overlapping claims on maritime borders and natural gas resources exist, particularly with Greece and Libya.