Egypt and Turkey have started talks on the effective resumption of diplomatic relations

Egypt and Turkey began talks on May 5 regarding the effective resumption of diplomatic relations after nearly a decade of tension. This is what Ahmed Hafez, spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on the institution’s official Twitter account.

The negotiations, led by Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Loza and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal, had already been announced by an official Turkish statement. According to the document, discussions between the two delegations should focus on “the necessary steps that can lead to the normalization of relations between the two countries bilaterally and in the regional context”.

It should be remembered that relations between the two countries have been seriously affected since 2013. Indeed, the dismissal of President Mohamed Morsi, member of the Muslim Brotherhood, supported by Turkey, and the divergent positions of the two regional powers on the conflict in Libya participated in the installation of a tense climate.

In addition, the exile in Turkey of Egyptian opposition media, very critical of al-Sisi’s government, has deepened the unrest between Ankara and Cairo.

As part of a resumption of relations, the Turkish authorities have made several attempts to reconcile with the land of the Pharaohs. The most recent was the demand for the Istanbul-based Egyptian media to “tone down” on the Egyptian executive. An approach welcomed by the latter.

These new negotiations represent one more step towards ending the tensions between these two allies of the United States, which are now part of a logic of reconciliation with their neighbors, under pressure from Washington.

These talks ended on May 6.