El-Sisi’s visit marks pivotal shift in Turkiye-Egypt relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s upcoming visit to Turkiye on September 4 signals a historic turning point in the fraught relations between Cairo and Ankara, setting the stage for what could be a new era of strategic cooperation between the two regional powers

This diplomatic engagement comes on the heels of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Cairo, where groundwork was laid for the high-profile meeting. Central to the agenda are key issues like the ongoing crisis in Gaza, which both nations have a vested interest in resolving.

This rapprochement, however, is not without its complexities. Dr. Selin Nasi, a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics’ European Institute, views this visit as the culmination of a “long and tumultuous diplomatic process” between Turkiye and Egypt. According to Nasi, the tensions that once defined their relationship were deeply rooted in Turkiye’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood, a stance that strained ties with not just Egypt but also several Gulf nations.

Nasi highlights that, despite the challenges, both countries have found common ground on several issues, including gas exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean and political developments in Libya. “When Egypt signed a maritime deal with Greece that same year, it did not go unnoticed by Ankara that the deal respected Turkiye’s maritime claims,” she notes, hinting at the potential for future cooperation in these contentious areas.

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The visit also has significant implications for Gaza, where both Turkiye and Egypt have played crucial roles in humanitarian efforts. As Nasi explains, “Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, Egypt has become increasingly important for Turkiye,” especially as Turkiye’s relations with Israel have deteriorated. Yet, Ankara’s support for Hamas remains a sticking point.

“It seems that Turkiye and Egypt have reached an understanding to ‘agree to disagree,’ provided that Egypt would prevent the infiltration of Hamas affiliates across its borders,” Nasi added. This delicate balance could be key to sustaining their renewed partnership.

From a broader perspective, Pinar Akpinar, an assistant professor at Qatar University, views Turkiye’s rapprochement with Egypt as part of its larger regional strategy. She emphasizes that Turkiye is simultaneously seeking to mend relations with other regional powers, including Syria, in an effort to promote stability amidst rising tensions in the Middle East.

The timing of El-Sisi’s visit is particularly notable as Turkiye seeks to reassert its role in regional politics. By aligning itself with Egypt over their shared commitment to the Palestinian cause, Ankara hopes to offset its exclusion from ongoing diplomatic negotiations and strengthen its regional influence.

As both countries look to the future, potential areas of cooperation are vast. Expanding bilateral trade, developing joint energy projects, and even establishing a coordinated approach to Gaza’s reconstruction are all on the table. With this visit, El-Sisi and Erdogan are not just mending fences but are setting the stage for a new era of strategic partnership that could reshape the dynamics of the entire region.