“[Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan's upcoming visit is a historic one in light of the circumstances at a regional level,” Egyptian Ambassador Abderahman Salaheldin stressed in an interview with Today's Zaman on Thursday as he referred to increased efforts at cooperation between the countries shortly after the Egyptian revolution. As the ambassador highlighted that the recent developments in the region have brought the countries closer, necessitating a closer cooperation, he stressed that the opportunities for cooperation between the countries were virtually “unlimited.”
Erdoğan's Egypt visit on Sept. 12 comes at a critical time when the Arab Spring is in full swing and when Turkey has entered into a diplomatic stalemate with Israel concerning the Gaza blockade and recognition of the Palestinian state. Erdoğan's visit also coincides with the preparations of parliamentary elections and the drafting of a new constitution in post-revolution Egypt.
Acknowledging that the population of Egypt and Turkey combined constitutes more than half of the Middle Eastern population, Ambassador Salaheldin noted that the countries together hold more than half the eastern Mediterranean shoreline -- an indication of the strength of Turkish-Egyptian cooperation in shaping the critical decisions regarding the troubled region.
“Egyptian and Turkish partnership is solely intended for the prosperity of the people and not directed against anyone,” the Egyptian ambassador stated as he reaffirmed a common understanding between the countries for peaceful negotiations in the region. Salaheldin also touched upon speculation about the motivation for the increased pace of dialogue between the nations, saying that there was “no secret agenda” behind their cooperation but that the countries could develop even better relations given the fact that they see eye-to-eye on many issues, including foreign policy.
In a display of agreement with Turkey's stance regarding Palestine, Salaheldin reiterated the conditions for peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict, citing the much-debated withdrawal of Israeli forces from Arab lands that it occupied in 1967 and recognition of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. “These are conditions agreed upon by everyone,” Salaheldin stated as he noted that Egypt's stance was the same as that of Turkey on the matter.
As Egypt looks to forge new and stronger alliances in the region amidst the still shifting dynamics, the country seeks stronger economic and political ties with Turkey. In line with these aspirations, the countries are expected to sign a strategic cooperation agreement that would create a high-level strategic council to be mutually chaired by the two prime ministers, the Egyptian ambassador announced. The projected council is also scheduled to have its first gathering in Cairo shortly after signing the agreement and is planned to cover all aspects of the political, economic, scientific and technical fields and include further plans on energy and military production capabilities. Salaheldin also noted that Erdoğan was expected to visit Egypt in the company of a dozen ministers as well as 200 Turkish businessmen. Egypt hopes to double the number of Turkish investors in the country, whose investments currently amount to some $1 billion.
