Egypt and Turkey have appointed ambassadors to each other’s capitals for the first time in a decade to restore normal diplomatic relations, their foreign ministries announced on Tuesday.
The consultations between senior officials from the foreign ministries of Ankara and Cairo had commenced in 2021, as Turkey embarked on an effort to improve ties not only with Egypt but also with other regional powers such as the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. These diplomatic efforts were seen as part of Turkey’s wider strategy to enhance its regional standing and consolidate partnerships in the Middle East.
The normalization process between Ankara and Cairo gained momentum following a historic encounter between Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Erdogan, in Doha during the 2022 World Cup. The handshake between the two leaders symbolized a willingness to put past grievances aside and work towards restoring friendly relations.
Under the newly established diplomatic channels, Amr Elhamamy has been appointed as Egypt’s ambassador to Ankara, while Turkey has nominated Salih Mutlu Sen to serve as its ambassador to Cairo, according to a statement released by the Egyptian foreign ministry.
The appointment of ambassadors is a significant step, considering that both nations had been without such representation since 2013 when Egypt expelled Turkey’s ambassador and accused Ankara of supporting organizations aimed at undermining the country’s stability. This move had further strained bilateral relations and resulted in a period of diplomatic tension between the two countries.
In a recent statement, Salih Mutlu Sen, the Turkish Charge d’Affaires in Cairo, expressed optimism about the future of Egyptian-Turkish relations. He stated that a meeting between President Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is expected to take place within the next 3-6 months. Sen emphasized that significant strides have been made towards normalizing relations, leading to the reestablishment of trust between the two nations.
The appointment of ambassadors is seen as a crucial step towards rebuilding bilateral cooperation and engaging in constructive dialogue on various regional and international issues. It is hoped that the normalization process will pave the way for increased trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between Egypt and Turkey, benefiting both nations and contributing to stability in the region.
Gerçek News