Turkey’s chief diplomat visits Egypt for the first time in a decade: Egypt and Turkey’s top diplomats pledged to put aside their differences and normalize relations for the first time in over a decade during talks in Cairo yesterday. In a joint press conference (watch, runtime: 33:24) with Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Sameh Shoukry said the two had engaged in “honest, deep and transparent” talks and spoke of reappointing ambassadors in both countries. “We largely agree on most issues. We have to improve bilateral relations in every field from transportation to trade,” said Cavusoglu, who was the first Turkish foreign minister to make an official visit to Egypt in 11 years.

Normalizing relations: Cavusoglu’s visit comes three weeks after Shoukry traveled to Turkey to show support following the earthquakes that hit the south of the country and Syria. The two countries have been inching closer to restoring ties for months, with President El Sisi and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan shaking hands in a brief encounter during the 2022 World Cup and Turkish companies last month pledging to invest USD 500 mn in Egypt. “Turkey will work to increase diplomatic relations with Egypt … we will do our best so that relations are never severed again,” Cavusoglu said.

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