Toward Normalization of Egyptian-Turkish Relations
The talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are a strong indication of the normalization of Egyptian-Turkish relations.
About AI Translated Article
Please note that this article was automatically translated using Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. We cannot ensure that the entire content is translated accurately. If you spot any errors or inconsistencies, contact us at hotline@kompas.id, and we'll make every effort to address them. Thank you for your understanding.
The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.
Mustafa Abd Rahman
Egyptian-Turkish relations move towards normalization soon, following President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's victory over his rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, in the second round of presidential elections last Sunday (28/5/2023). With this victory, Erdogan will serve as president of Turkey for the next five years, 2023-2028.
Strong moves toward normalizing relations between Egypt-Turkey are starting to be seen. This was seen, among others, after the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Monday (29/5/2023) called President Erdogan to congratulated Erdogan on Turkey's presidential election.
The telephone conversation between President El Sisi and President Erdogan was not only about conveying congratulations, but they also decided to enhance the bilateral relationship between Egypt and Turkey by immediately exchanging ambassadors between Cairo and Ankara.
El Sisi and Erdogan also discussed the strength of Egypt-Turkey's historical relationship.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been elected as his supporters gathered in front of the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey on Sunday (28/5/2023) as vote counting showed that he surpassed his opponent Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
The normalization of Egypt-Turkey relations issue has become the most important issue in 2023 that will affect the situation in the Middle East after the normalization of Iran-Saudi Arabia relations with China's mediation last March.
Like Iran and Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey are two major countries in the Middle East with the largest population in the region. Egypt has a population of approximately 104 million people and Turkey has around 85 million people.
Normalization
The movement towards the normalization of Egypt-Turkey relations is actually beginning to emerge following the normalization of Qatar's relations with the Arab quartet countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia in 2021.
Also read: Türkiye and Egypt Begin to Normalize Relations
In the Gulf Arab conflict, Turkey sided with Qatar by building a Turkish military base near the city of Doha. Meanwhile, Egypt sided with Saudi Arabia by joining the boycott of Qatar.
After the normalization of relations between Qatar and four Arab countries, the relationship between Egypt and Turkey is starting to thaw.
In a photo released by the Saudi Arabian Palace on January 5th, 2021, (from left to right) Kuwait Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Oman Deputy Prime Minister Fahd Bin Mahmud, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Dubai Leader and United Arab Emirates Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Nayef al-Hajraf were seen. The photo was taken during the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council Summit held in al-Ula, Saudi Arabia.
In mid-2021, high officials from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited Cairo to hold inaugural talks in an effort to reduce tension in the Egypt-Turkey relations that have lasted for the past decade.
The tense relationship between Egypt and Turkey was triggered by Turkey's condemnation and rejection of Egypt's military action that overthrew President Mursi's government in July 2013.
Relations between the two countries have become increasingly tense, following Turkey's hosting of Muslim Brotherhood (IM) figures and other Egyptian opposition figures. The Turkish region, especially the city of Istanbul, has become the basis for the political movements of Egyptian opposition figures against President El-Sisi's government.
Also read: World Cup Reunion of Hostile Middle East Leaders
However, starting from mid-2021, Turkey signaled its desire to build good relations with Egypt.
The signal indicates that Turkey has instructed leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and other opposition figures residing in Turkey to stop their provocative actions against the government of Egypt. Therefore, the provocation channels of the Egyptian opposition, such as television stations, online and print media, which operate from Turkey, have been asked to be closed by the Ankara government.
Many figures from the Muslim Brotherhood and other Egyptian opposition then chose to leave Turkey and move to several European countries, such as England and Switzerland. As for the opposition figures who still remain in Turkey, they are asked not to engage in political activities. Some Egyptian opposition figures who did not comply with the Turkish government's instructions were arrested by Turkish security forces.
Significant developments regarding the issue of the normalization of Egypt-Turkey relations occurred when both President El Sisi and President Erdogan attended the opening of the 2022 World Cup in Doha - Qatar.
El Sisi and Erdogan shook hands and engaged in a 40-minute conversation during the opening of the World Cup. It was the first summit meeting between El Sisi and Erdogan, taking advantage of the World Cup in Qatar.
In a photo released by the Turkish Presidency Office on November 22, 2022, it shows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) shaking hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as they were welcomed by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani (second from right) during the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
After the summit meeting in Qatar, the flow of the normalization movement between Egypt and Turkey is increasing rapidly.
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, visited Turkey last February as a solidarity visit from Egypt for the large earthquake disaster in Turkey that claimed more than 50,000 lives in Turkey and Syria.
President El Sisi also called President Erdogan to convey condolences regarding the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
Read also: Union Message from Qatar World Cup
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu returned the visit by visiting Cairo in March. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry then visited Ankara on April 13 at the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Before the Turkish election, Erdogan promised to hold a summit meeting with President El Sisi whose time and place will be determined after the Turkish election.
According to the professor of political science at Cairo University, Tareq Fahmi, the rapid movement towards the normalization of Egyptian-Turkish relations is an expression of the desire of both countries to open a new chapter in their bilateral relationship. Fahmi mentioned that the normalization of Egyptian-Turkish relations not only has a positive impact on the bilateral relationship between the two countries but also on the situation in the Middle East.
So far, Egypt and Turkey were the main players in Libya and the gas-rich eastern Mediterranean sea. Therefore, the normalization of Egyptian-Turkish relations will have an impact on reducing tensions in Libya and the eastern Mediterranean sea.
