The ins and outs of Turkey-Egypt reconciliation
Turkey-Egypt Strategic Partnership Strengthens Amidst Regional Shifts
The Turkey-Egypt strategic partnership has experienced rapid growth, evolving from normalization to a structured multi-domain cooperation. This development positions both nations as key actors in Eastern Mediterranean and African regional diplomacy.
The two countries have institutionalized their partnership through the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council and a Joint Planning Group, signalling a sustained commitment. Key areas of collaboration include economic ties, defense cooperation, and regional security and diplomacy.
Economic Ties
Trade between Turkey and Egypt reached $8.8 billion in 2024 and is targeted to grow to $15 billion. Turkish investment in Egypt’s industry, transport corridors, and energy security sectors is expanding, contributing to job creation and production.
Defense Cooperation
Egypt's involvement in Turkey’s indigenous fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighter jet program reflects a deepening military-industrial partnership. This collaboration will enhance Egypt’s defense autonomy and elevate its regional defense status, potentially making it a defense hub in Africa and boosting its geopolitical influence across the continent and Arab League.
Regional Security and Diplomacy
The partnership includes coordinated efforts on major flashpoints such as Gaza, with shared mediation roles in conflict resolution and humanitarian concerns. Libya is identified as a forthcoming complex arena for joint Turkish-Egyptian diplomatic and security engagement, adapting lessons from their cooperation in Syria and Gulf affairs.
The partnership is explicitly framed around principles of sovereignty, peaceful dispute resolution, and regional stability. Both nations reject military blocs or domination by single actors, advocating instead for cooperative diplomacy.
Future Prospects
Future prospects include continued expansion of formal mechanisms and joint working groups to deepen coordination across political, economic, and security domains. The partnership aims to position itself as pivotal powers shaping Eastern Mediterranean alignments amid competing regional interests. Increasing influence in African regional diplomacy through defense industrial cooperation and broader economic engagement is also anticipated. The partnership may also mediate and stabilize ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, leveraging their enhanced bilateral cooperation and regional leverage.
In a recent visit, Turkish and Egyptian delegations met in Cairo, discussing regional flashpoints, especially Gaza, and possible joint work in defense manufacturing, transport corridors, and energy security. Trade between the two nations, currently valued at $8.8 billion, is expected to reach $15 billion in the coming years.
The Turkey-Egypt partnership is a significant emerging axis with ambitions to reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa through intertwined economic, defense, and diplomatic initiatives supported by formal agreements and high-level coordination.
- The Turkish government, in a joint statement with Egypt, expressed their intention to elevate the Turkish-Egypt partnership in Syria, using lessons learned to navigate complex security and diplomatic issues in Libya.
- Amidst growing tensions with NATO, Turkey is strengthening ties with Egypt, reinforcing their stance against military blocs and single actor dominance, while focusing on regional stability and peaceful diplomacy.
- Turkey's government has pledged to continue increasing investment in Egypt's energy security sectors, aiming to reach $15 billion in trade by the upcoming years – a move that could solidify Turkey's role as a key player in African regional diplomacy.
- As part of the Turkish-Egypt collaboration, Ankara and Cairo are seeking ways to bolster defense cooperation, with potential involvement of Egypt in Turkey's fifth-generation TAI KAAN fighter jet program, boosting Egypt's defense status and geopolitical influence in Africa.
- The Turkey-Egypt partnership is likely to expand their defense industrial cooperation and economic engagement across the Eastern Mediterranean and Africa, potentially reshaping regional alliances and mediating ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Africa.
