The visit of the Turkish President, according to observers, established a rapprochement with Cairo that contributes to improving political, economic and military relations (Egyptian Presidency)

Cairo/Ankara -

 The visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Cairo ended nearly 10 years of estrangement between the two countries, following Ankara’s refusal to overthrow the late President Mohamed Morsi, and tensions escalated until the two countries were on the verge of a direct military confrontation in Libya following Turkey’s intervention to prevent the fall of the capital, Tripoli, into the hands of the general. Retired Khalifa Haftar, supported by Egypt and the UAE.

Observers believed that this visit opened promising cooperation and spread an atmosphere of optimism in the two countries, pushing relations forward. It also came at a pivotal moment of regional tension, in light of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, to constitute support for Egypt’s position in the face of Israeli threats to Egyptian national security.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will respond to Erdogan’s visit, which he described as “a new page in relations between the two countries,” by accepting the invitation to visit Turkey next April, to participate in the sessions of the Strategic Cooperation Council.

Regional security system

Analysts in Egypt believe that rapprochement with Turkey has positive effects on Gaza, based on the weight of the two countries, as their rejection of war, the displacement of Palestinians, and launching an operation on the city of Rafah will constitute a clear message that is difficult for Washington and the European Union to ignore, in addition to that this rapprochement will seek to besiege Israeli positions in organizations. International.

Erdogan’s speech regarding the aggression on Gaza came to confirm that seeking to deliver aid to Gaza is one of the most important priorities of the two countries, expressing his appreciation for Egypt’s role in rejecting forced displacement. The two presidents agreed on the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and to calm tensions in the West Bank, in order to achieve peace. Erdogan also stressed that his country will continue to cooperate with Egypt to reconstruct Gaza.

Ambassador Masoum Marzouk, the former Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister, believes that this visit will resolve the differences between the two countries, and overcome the pitfalls over the past years, while acknowledging the existence of differences in viewpoints on many issues, adding in his speech to Al Jazeera Net that they are “disagreements that can be settled according to the highest interests of the two countries, and reaching "For compromise solutions between the two capitals."

The ambassador stressed that Erdogan's visit to Cairo "may be in favor of the existence of a regional security system that brings together many important regional powers, in light of the threats besieging the countries of the region, in a way that necessitates the need for coordination between these major powers, to launch a system that confronts the threats, especially towards the situation in Gaza." ".

He also said, "It is certain that the visit is considered a qualitative shift in the relations of the two countries, but this development will not happen overnight. Rather, it will require some efforts, especially if the intentions of the two countries are achieved."

Economy is a priority

The state of stalemate and political tension between Cairo and Ankara over the past decade did not negatively affect their economic relations, as trade exchange numbers between them reached $10 billion in 2022, primarily to the benefit of Turkey. During the meeting, Sisi confirmed that Egypt will raise the level of trade exchange with Turkey to $15 billion through several agreements, which President Erdogan confirmed in his speech in turn.

Egyptian economic expert Hani Adel considered that "Erdogan's visit and the momentum surrounding it will be positive for cooperation to support the Egyptian economy, which is suffering from severe difficulties, and increase the rates of trade, especially since Turkey's economic weight may constitute support for Egypt."

He expressed his expectations that the improvement in political relations would double Turkish investments in Egypt, which exceed two billion dollars, and may expand to include new areas such as the wealth of the Eastern Mediterranean and the textile and petrochemical sectors, as well as removing any obstacles to Egyptian exports to Turkey, in a way that balances trade exchange.

The economic expert pointed out the need for the two countries for intensive rounds of negotiations in order to exchange local currencies in commercial transactions, pointing out the absence of the governors of the central banks in the two countries from attending the visit ceremony, which means postponing this file.

Relaxation in Ankara

A similar state of satisfaction appeared for the visit within Turkish circles, as Turkish observers considered it “historic” and would constitute a new page for relations with Egypt, opening the door to positive paths for it at all levels, building on a broad history of cooperation between them over the past decades, and benefiting from the rapprochement it had established. The visit to improve relations at all levels, politically, economically and militarily, in light of negotiations to supply Egypt with Turkish drones.

Turkish observers saw that Ankara seeks through the visit to strengthen its regional influence, expand its influence on the African continent, and deepen its ties with the Arab world. It also aims to establish a stronger presence in the Palestinian issue and support political stability in Libya, in addition to protecting its interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ankara also aims to expand export opportunities to markets that are already active for Turkey, and the partnership in the field of defense industries is expected to produce effects that enhance the military capabilities of both parties, which promises a strategic shift that may reshape the features of regional cooperation, in light of the good relations that Cairo has with Cyprus. And Greece.

Regarding the impact of the visit on the situation in Gaza, political researcher Ibrahim Ozgur pointed out in his interview with Al Jazeera Net that “Erdogan’s foreign policy, especially related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, reflects a deep commitment to ideology that often goes beyond pragmatic geopolitics.” He considered that Turkish solidarity with the Palestinians is an essential element of their identity. Turkey's political stance, which greatly affects its position towards Israel and its aggression against Gaza.

He added, "Despite the history of volatile relations with Israel, Erdogan has taken a sharper stance against it in light of the recent escalation in Gaza, and affirmed his support for the Palestinian cause, a stance that is in line with his broader foreign policy vision, which positions Turkey as the protector of Muslims in the region, including... That's the Palestinians."

The researcher pointed out that "the visit supports a possible shift in regional dynamics, as Erdogan seeks to use relations with Egypt to play a more prominent role in mediating the Gaza conflict," and stressed that "the current political reality requires Turkey to strengthen its active role in the region," pointing out that Egypt represents a fundamental pillar for several issues that Turkey aspires to get involved in, which prompts the Turkish leadership to seek to strengthen ties with Cairo.

Source: Al Jazeera