Egypt and Turkey appoint ambassadors and restore diplomatic relations

 The Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Turkey have appointed ambassadors to each other’s countries, paving the way to restore their diplomatic relations.

The foreign ministries of Egypt and Turkey announced on Tuesday that the two countries restore diplomatic relations after a decade.

The statement by the two countries said, “The elevation of the level of diplomatic relations between the two countries was implemented in accordance with the decision taken by the presidents of the two countries.”

The statement further read, “This step aims to establish normal relations between the two countries once again.”

In a joint statement, the two countries announced the appointment of ambassadors, the latest step in the reconciliation between the two countries. 

Discussions between senior foreign ministry officials of the two countries started in 2021 as Turkey tried to improve relations with Egypt, Israel, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Normalization ties between Turkey and Egypt accelerated after Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met during the World Cup in 2022.

In May, the Turkish President and the Egyptian President agreed to swap ambassadors. Egypt's ambassador in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, will be Amr Elhamamy, while Turkey's ambassador in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, will be Salih Mutlu Sen, as reported by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Since 2013, the two countries have been without diplomats. Egypt removed Turkey's ambassador in 2013 and accused Ankara of supporting organizations aimed at weakening the country. However, Turkey has always denied such allegations.

This year, the ministers of the two countries met at the cabinet level several times, delivering messages to each other and publicly negotiating the restoration of full diplomatic relations.

The reconciliation between the two countries after a decade is part of Turkey's efforts to enhance relations with countries in the Middle East region. Turkey reportedly aims to end its international isolation.