Turkish diplomats visit Cairo to normalize relations

While Turkish President Erdogan repeatedly attacked Egyptian President al-Sisi, a Turkish delegation traveled to Egypt to normalize relations (Illustrative image).

© KAYHAN OZER, LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

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A Turkish delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal, is in Cairo on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 May for "

 political consultations

 " aimed at " 

normalizing 

" relations between Egypt and Turkey.

The latter had severed diplomatic ties after the overthrow, in July 2013, of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

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With our correspondent in Istanbul,

Anne Andlauer

For the first time in almost eight years, Turkish diplomats are in Cairo.

Exchanges between the intelligence services had prepared the ground for 2020. But this time, the approach is displayed, in particular by Turkey, which seems in a hurry to restore its relations with Egypt.

Hope for union around Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean

The subjects on the table are numerous.

In their public statements, Turkish officials identified two areas in which Ankara hopes to benefit from rapprochement with Cairo: Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean.

In Libya, after supporting opposing camps in the conflict of recent years, Turkey says it wants to work with Egypt alongside the transitional government installed since March.

In the Mediterranean, Ankara wishes to sign a maritime delimitation agreement with Cairo, which would strengthen its position in its disputes with Athens.

►Also listen: Decryption - Showdown in the Eastern Mediterranean between Athens and Ankara

If the current consultations go well, Turkey could appoint an ambassador to Egypt, and vice versa.

With, however, a major unknown: will Turkish President Erdogan

reach out to his Egyptian counterpart

, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, after having long called him a " 

tyrant

 ", "

 putschist 

" and " 

murderer

 "?

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  • Egypt

  • Turkey

  • Diplomacy

  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan

  • Abdel Fattah al-Sissi