Turkiye and Egypt sign 17 deals during Sisi’s first visit to Ankara
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday hosts Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the Egyptian leader's first-ever Turkey visit, in Ankara, on Sept. 4, 2024. PHOTO: Turkish Directorate of communication
Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Ankara on Wednesday for Sisi's first visit to Turkiye, culminating in the signing of 17 cooperation agreements.
This visit marks a significant turnaround in relations after a decade of strained ties.
The agreements span various sectors, including energy and culture, underscoring a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral relations.
Sisi, who met Erdogan in Cairo last February, expressed optimism about the future of Turkiye-Egypt relations.
"My first visit to this friendly country is an indication that the relations between the two countries will develop much further," Sisi said at a joint press conference.
Erdogan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the visit as a pivotal moment in improving ties.
"We are advancing our improving relations even further with the return visit of my dear brother," he stated.
This marks a notable shift for Erdogan, who previously vowed never to engage with Sisi following the 2013 ousting of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood-led government.
The two leaders have now normalized relations as part of Turkiye's broader efforts to mend ties with regional players such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Key areas of cooperation include energy projects, with Turkiye aiming to participate in regional initiatives to transport Egyptian natural gas to Europe, amidst efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy.
Erdogan and Sisi also set a target to increase their bilateral trade volume to $15 billion, up from the current $10 billion. Turkish investments in Egypt have recently surged to $3 billion.
The leaders signed a joint declaration to enhance coordination on regional issues, including Gaza, Libya, and the Horn of Africa, signaling a convergence in their foreign policy approaches.
Sisi emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address humanitarian crises in the region.
Turkiye's shift away from supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, designated a terrorist organization by Cairo and several Gulf nations, has paved the way for this renewed partnership.