Türkiye-Egypt relations enter new era: Ankara’s ambassador to Cairo

By Ferdi Bayat

CAIRO (AA) - Upgrading diplomatic ties between Türkiye and Egypt after a decade-long hiatus will positively impact the two countries in various fields, said Türkiye’s Ambassador to Cairo Salih Mutlu Sen.

“Diplomatic relations between the two countries were never completely cut, but only reduced to the level of charge d'affaires,” Sen told Anadolu.

Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Egypt had been at the level of charge d'affaires since 2013.

“The reappointment of mutual ambassadors is an important milestone for the two brotherly nations,” Sen said, adding that relations between Türkiye and Egypt have entered a new era.

“During this new era and after a 10-year hiatus, it is time for the two brotherly nations to meet, embrace, and support each other in every field,” the ambassador affirmed.

Sen said: “The peoples, institutions, and private sectors of the two countries will benefit from all kinds of future cooperation opportunities.”

- Trade volume to reach $20B in 10 years

Referring to the bilateral commercial relations, Ambassador Sen said: “The trade volume between the two countries could reach $20 billion in the next 10 years.”

Bilateral trade volume between Türkiye and Egypt reached a record $9.7 billion in 2022, according to Sen.

“Trade has continued in the past 10 years despite the difficulties and political turmoil,” the diplomat noted. “Now, with the normalization of the political environment, we expect further progress.”

Sen stated that “with the abolition of visa requirements between the two countries, the Turkish interest in trade fairs in Egypt is expected to increase.”

He said: “Türkiye is Egypt's largest export market.”

During the first quarter of 2022, Egypt’s export to Türkiye totaled around $800 million, according to the Egyptian Statistical Institute.

“Turkish investments in Egypt will continue to gain momentum,” Sen added.

- Turkish institutions in Egypt

Ambassador Sen expressed the Turkish desire to reopen the Alexandria representative offices of Anadolu, TRT, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), and Yunus Emre Institute (YEE), which were closed in Egypt in the past years.

Sen stated: “Negotiations to reopen these institutions will continue with the Egyptian side.”

- Presidential summit

Regarding the expected summit between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, he said: “The appointment of ambassadors was an important diplomatic step.”

Without giving a date for the summit, the ambassador said: “It is a matter of time for a summit to be realized.”

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi