Following years of political tensions between Türkiye and Egypt, the normalization process has entered a new phase. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said after his contacts in Egypt that relations between the two countries are currently at an “excellent level,” adding that Ankara and Cairo share the will to deepen cooperation further.
Fidan’s remarks indicate that Türkiye–Egypt relations have evolved beyond diplomatic normalization into a more comprehensive partnership covering the economy, trade, transportation and regional security.
Fidan: Relations are at an excellent level
Hakan Fidan met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein and said that Türkiye–Egypt relations had reached a significant level under the leadership of the two countries’ presidents.
Fidan stressed that both sides are determined to further develop relations based on mutual trust and common interests in the coming period.
Egypt also delivered similar messages. Egyptian Foreign Minister Abdelatty said relations with Türkiye were based on solid foundations and mutual understanding, highlighting the importance attached to developing cooperation between the two countries.
Target: $15 billion in trade
Economic ties are one of the most important pillars of the new period between Ankara and Cairo.
Türkiye and Egypt aim to increase bilateral trade to $15 billion.
Fidan announced that new agreements had been signed to increase trade between the two countries, diversify economic relations and strengthen connections between Türkiye and Egypt.
As part of the latest talks, a document was also signed on amending the protocol concerning the rules of origin under the Türkiye–Egypt Free Trade Agreement.
Egypt also joined a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to strengthen transportation links between Türkiye and the African coastal countries. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that the documents were signed as part of a meeting of the Türkiye–Egypt Joint Planning Group in El-Alamein.
Coordination on Gaza is increasing
Gaza is one of the most important foreign policy issues in the rapprochement between Türkiye and Egypt.
Fidan said he and his Egyptian counterpart had discussed developments in Gaza comprehensively and that the two countries agreed on the need to take stronger steps on the issue.
Egypt plays a critical role in diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives as the country bordering Gaza, while Türkiye is conducting regional and international diplomacy on Gaza.
Greater coordination between Ankara and Cairo in this area also demonstrates that the two countries have expanded their capacity to act together in regional crises.
Emphasis on a common position on Libya
Libya was once one of the issues over which Türkiye and Egypt had the greatest differences.
Fidan’s latest remarks, however, point to a significant change in this area as well.
Fidan said Türkiye and Egypt share a common position on Libya, adding that the two countries have similar approaches to preserving Libya’s unity, sovereignty and stability.
This is one of the most notable outcomes of the Ankara–Cairo normalization process.
Contacts at the intelligence level
Fidan’s visit to Egypt was also notable because it was not limited to a meeting between the two foreign ministers.
According to an official statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Fidan also met with Major General Hassan Rashad, head of Egypt’s General Intelligence Service, in El-Alamein.
Details of the meeting were not disclosed.
The high-level intelligence contact nevertheless shows that cooperation between Türkiye and Egypt extends beyond diplomatic and economic relations to the field of security.
From years of tension to strategic rapprochement
Türkiye–Egypt relations went through a period of serious political crisis in the 2010s, and the level of diplomatic representation between the two countries was lowered.
Following contacts that began in subsequent years, relations gradually returned to normal.
President Erdoğan’s visit to Cairo in February 2024 was the first visit at this level in 12 years. The process then gained momentum with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Türkiye.
The restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries to ambassadorial level and reciprocal visits by their leaders laid the foundation for a new period between Ankara and Cairo.
A new period between Ankara and Cairo
The latest statements show that Türkiye and Egypt are no longer merely two countries seeking to leave their past problems behind; they have become two actors seeking closer coordination on regional issues.
The target of increasing trade to $15 billion, new economic agreements, transportation links with Africa, coordination on Gaza and a common approach to Libya are among the leading aspects of this transformation.
Fidan’s description of Türkiye–Egypt relations as being at an “excellent level” also underscores the importance Ankara attaches to the current state of its relations with Cairo.
In the coming period, the two countries are expected to further increase coordination not only on economic relations but also on Gaza, Libya and developments across the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
