Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is visiting Turkey for the first time since he took office, marking a significant step in improving relations between the two nations. El-Sissi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to hold discussions on various topics, including bilateral relations, the Gaza conflict, and escalating tensions in the Middle East. They are expected to oversee the signing of multiple cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening ties in areas such as energy, defense, and tourism.
Earlier this year, Erdogan visited Egypt for the first time in over a decade, following an agreement between the two countries to repair relations. The leaders expressed their intent to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion from the current $10 billion. Relations between Egypt and Turkey had deteriorated after the Egyptian military removed Islamist President Mohammed Morsi from power amidst widespread protests against his rule. Morsi was affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood group.
In recent times, Turkey has shifted its stance on el-Sissi’s government, aiming to mend relations with Egypt and other Arab countries while seeking investment opportunities during economic challenges. In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, Erdogan and el-Sissi were pictured shaking hands during the World Cup in Qatar last year. Furthermore, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Turkey in 2023 to show support after a devastating earthquake hit parts of southern Turkey and Syria.
El-Sissi’s visit to Turkey, accompanied by a delegation of officials and businessmen, holds strategic importance as Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, has been working to broker a cease-fire and the release of the remaining 100 hostages held by Hamas. However, negotiations faced hurdles as Israel introduced new conditions, including prolonged Israeli control over Gaza’s border with Egypt and another corridor within the Palestinian enclave.
Egypt has criticized the Israeli prime minister for impeding negotiations, highlighting concerns that any Israeli presence near the Gaza border would jeopardize the longstanding peace treaty between the two countries. Meanwhile, Hamas has attempted to involve Turkey as a guarantor in the cease-fire talks.
The conflict initiated when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now exceeded 40,000, with a significant portion of the population facing food scarcity, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
