Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has embarked on an official visit to Turkey for discussions with his Turkish counterpart, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This marks the first official visit by an Egyptian president to Turkey in 12 years and signifies a continued improvement in relations between the two regional powers.
Earlier in February, Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt in over a decade following an agreement between the two nations to restore ties and reappoint ambassadors.
Relations between Cairo and Ankara had deteriorated in 2013 after el-Sisi, then serving as army chief, led the ousting of President Mohamed Morsi, who was democratically elected but faced widespread protests during his first year in office. Morsi, a leading figure in the Muslim Brotherhood, had enjoyed significant support from Turkey.
During this second summit between el-Sisi and Erdogan since their reconciliation began, the two leaders are expected to sign approximately 20 agreements. These agreements will focus on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, defence, tourism, health, culture, and education.
The discussions will also address global and regional issues, with a particular focus on Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. Turkey has lauded Egypt’s humanitarian efforts and its role as a mediator in Gaza truce negotiations, having sent thousands of tonnes of aid to support Palestinians.
El-Sisi is accompanied by a large delegation of officials and business leaders, reflecting the significance of the visit. Erdogan has expressed a desire to increase bilateral trade between the two nations from its current $10 billion to $15 billion.