Türkiye looks forward to reopening institutions in Egypt

Türkiye expects that with the full restoration of diplomatic relations with Egypt, Turkish organizations will be able to reopen their branches in this state.

“We want and strive for the reopening of Anadolu, TRT TV, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency - TIKA and a branch of the Yunus Emre Institute in Alexandria. We will continue to work in this direction and, I am sure, we will achieve results,” Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Sen told Anadolu agency on July 6.

These representations were gradually closed by the decision of the Egyptian authorities after the deterioration of relations between the countries in 2013 against the backdrop of serious political disagreements between Ankara and Cairo.
The ambassador noted that at this stage, the issue of resuming the work of Turkish institutions is being discussed with Egypt.

“I see that Egypt is approaching this issue in a constructive and positive way,” Sen said.

On economic cooperation, the ambassador pointed out that in the next 10 years, the trade turnover could reach $20 billion. In 2022, it amounted to $9.7 billion.

“Türkiye is Egypt's largest export market. That was the case in 2022. And now, in the first three months of this year, according to Egyptian statistics, exports to Türkiye amounted to $800 million. That is, we are again in first place,” the ambassador added.

Relations between Ankara and Cairo deteriorated in 2013 after the ouster of then Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, with whom Türkiye had a close relationship. Following this, both countries withdrew their ambassadors. In March 2021, then Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the resumption of contacts with Egypt at the diplomatic level. In November 2022, at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar, a short meeting between the presidents of Egypt and Türkiye took place, after which there was a significant thaw in relations. Late in February, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited the earthquake-hit city of Adana in southern Türkiye.

On July 4, the countries fully restored diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors to Ankara and Cairo.