By Janet Ekstract
İSTANBUL – The first visit from a Turkish official in 11 years, took place in Egypt on Saturday when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry for talks in Cairo on a one-day official visit. Shoukry had extended the invitation to Cavusoglu and both ministers had a news conference after their meeting. Cavusoglu said that Turkiye and Egypt will elevate their diplomatic relations to the highest level in the shortest possible time. He added that his country will forever remember the support Egypt extended to Turkiye in the aftermath of the twin quakes on February 6. Cavusoglu also said both countries must work “more closely” on regional issues as well. Shoukry said the expansion of ties is advantageous for both countries while Cavusolgu mentioned that President Erdogan and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will meet after Turkiye’s upcoming elections.
After the quakes, Shoukry visited Adana and Mersin – the first visit from an Egyptian foreign minister in over a decade since 2013, during Egypt’s military coup when former president Morsi was overthrown. Cavusoglu said that he and Shoukry had what he called “frank” talks where both sides demonstrated the will to strengthen ties in energy, trade and transportation. “While we are developing our bilateral relations with Egypt, we do not only talk about what can be done for the benefit of both countries. Normalization of our relations is important beyond that. We all know the importance of developing bilateral relations for the stability of the region, for its economic development, and for the role to be played in the solution of existing problems. Our region needs peace. We need to work together for the peace and survival of our region.” Shoukry said both discussed resuming ties with relation to appointing ambassadors and in making sure that going forward, ties remain strong.
The Turkish foreign minister added that there will certainly be differences of opinion going forward but stressed that “whatever happens, we will do our part as both sides, not to break these ties again.” Cavusolgu commented that international issues were also discussed especially Palestine, terrorism and the Russia-Ukraine war. He added: “We are in an intense effort with the U.N. especially on the extension of the grain agreement. Russia said it could be extended for a period of two months. In fact, today is the last day of the previous agreement, and we will continue working for this to continue after two months.” Shoukry said: “We have solid ground and we are confident that we will reestablish strong relations with Turkiye.” Both ministers also discussed the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as issues related to Syria, Libya, Palestine and the ongoing war.
Regarding when a meeting might take place between Erdogan and Egypt’s president, Cavusoglu said he and Shoukry have preparations underway. He added: “Maybe soon after the elections, hopefully, President Erdoğan and al-Sisi will come together. They decide the timing for it, but it’s up to us to make the preparations. We need to act quickly and work closely in all areas, not only in appointing ambassadors but also in closing the nine-year gap.”
