by WorldTribune Staff, July 8, 2016
After rebuilding ties with Israel and Russia, Turkey is now set to restore relations with Egypt.
Ankara will soon send a delegation to Cairo for talks on restoring ties, according to the deputy leader of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
“God willing ties with Egypt will also ease” following Turkey’s reconciliation with Russia and Israel, AKP deputy leader Saban Disli said on July 6.
Turkey-Egypt relations have been strained since the ouster of Egypt’s president and Muslim Brotherhood supporter Mohammed Morsi in 2013.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was a strong supporter of Morsi, said “we have no problems with the Egyptian people. The problem with Egypt is an issue with its administration, particularly with its ruler (Abdul Fatah Sisi).”
Erdogan added that a different approach would be required to that used with Russia and Israel as “the context with Egypt is different.”
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Çavusoglu said that, while he is open to discussions, “Egypt has to take positive steps” to address the issue of political prisoners, many of whom are from the Muslim Brotherhood.