At the level of ambassadors.. The restoration of diplomatic relations between Egypt and Turkey

In the latest step in reconciliation between the two regional powers, Egypt and Turkey restored full diplomatic relations on Tuesday by sending ambassadors for the first time in years.

 In a joint statement, the two countries announced the appointment of Salih Mutlu Sen as Turkish ambassador to Cairo and Amr al-Hamami as Egyptian ambassador to Ankara.

"This step aims to establish normal relations between the two countries again, and indicates their mutual determination to work towards strengthening bilateral relations for the supreme interest of the Turkish and Egyptian peoples," the statement said.

The rapprochement between the two countries is part of Turkey's efforts to build bridges with countries in the region and end its international isolation amid the economic downturn.

Last June, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan agreed on the importance of moving forward with the process of restoring full relations between the two countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had invited his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to visit Turkey.

Economic relations

The Turkish Chargé d'Affaires to Cairo, Ambassador Salih Mutlu Can, said," “I know that the Egyptians want to see Erdogan,” he continued, “The two leaders will determine the location of the meeting, which will take place in Ankara or Cairo.”

During the past 10 years, relations (Egyptian-Turkish) witnessed political stagnation with the continuation of economic relations.

Diplomatic relations

Dr. Bashir Abdel-Fattah, writer, political thinker and expert on Turkish affairs, said that the move to raise diplomatic relations to the level of ambassadors between Egypt and Turkey is not new, but it was announced immediately after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won a new presidential term.

This step confirms that there is no turning back on the full normalization between the two countries, despite the accumulation of controversial files and issues on more than one level.

Erdogan may complete the course and come to Cairo afterwards, and he may allocate another time, but the beginning will be from the Turkish side to Egypt.

Egypt played big role in supporting Turkey during the recent earthquake crisis had a positive role, in addition to all that Egypt has played over the past years in terms of a balanced role in the relations between the two countries.

Largest importer 

Last week, The Information and Decision Support Center of the Council of Ministers announced the values of non-oil commodity exports during the first quarter of the year 2023, and the major importing markets for Egyptian commodities during this period.

Turkey came as the largest importer of non-oil commodity exports from Egypt during the first quarter of 2023, as the value of Egyptian exports amounted to about $799.7 million, which represents 9.1% of total Egyptian exports, followed by Saudi Arabia with a value of $711.8 million, or 8.1% of total exports, then Italy ranked third with a value of $564.4 million, or 6.4%.

Abu Bakr al-Deeb, an expert in international relations and political economy, said that despite the differences that have extended for years in political views between Egypt and Turkey; However, the two countries were keen not to affect economic relations, but on the contrary, these relations increased and developed.

Trade exchange reached $7.7 billion in 2022, and the number is expected to double due to the rapprochement between the two countries over the next ten years.