Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in India to discuss various aspects of cooperation. The meeting addressed bilateral relations between Turkey and Egypt, efforts to increase trade volume, new cooperation in the energy sector, as well as regional and global issues. This encounter marks a significant step in improving diplomatic ties between the two countries, which had been strained for a decade.
In July, Egypt and Turkey mutually assigned ambassadors to their respective capitals, signifying a diplomatic thaw. President Erdogan expressed his belief that bilateral relations would soon reach the level they deserve. He emphasized the importance of Egypt’s support for Turkish investors and companies and underscored the significance of revitalizing cooperation in various areas, including LNG, nuclear energy, culture, and education.
Tensions between Egypt and Turkey began in 2013 when Egypt’s army, led by President Sisi, ousted President Mohammed Mursi, a close ally of Erdogan. The strained relationship was further exacerbated by disputes over maritime jurisdiction, offshore resources, and differing positions on the Libyan civil war. However, in 2021, both countries started softening their public rhetoric towards each other, culminating in the recent exchange of ambassadors.