Egyptian-Turkish relations will improve

Significance

This visit is the first by a Turkish foreign minister in eleven years, and a substantive step towards re-setting relations between the two countries. These were downgraded after former President Mohammed Morsi was removed from office by the then-army commander, Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, who became president in 2014.

Impacts

• The scope for political activity will significantly narrow for Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated groups across the region.
• Cairo’s arms purchases from Moscow may decrease, as it attempts to reconcile its ties with Russia and with Western countries.
• Egypt could seek Turkish private sector investment, including in the sale of stakes in state-owned enterprises.
• Energy exploration activities will increase in the eastern Mediterranean, including in Libyan, Cypriot and Egyptian waters.
• Improved Egyptian-Turkish ties could help push rival east-west based Libyan authorities to hold elections this year.