Egypt's Al-Sisi, Erdogan strike deal to upgrade diplomatic relations
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Egypt and Turkey have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic ties and exchange ambassadors a decade after downgrading ties.
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Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech at the presidential palace, in Ankara, Turkey, May 28, 2023 (AP)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have taken a significant step toward improving bilateral relations as they engaged in a constructive phone call.
Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ahmed Fahmy announced Monday that the two leaders agreed to upgrade the diplomatic relations of both countries and initiate the exchange of ambassadors.
During the call, Presidents Al-Sisi and Erdogan expressed their mutual commitment to bolstering relations and fostering increased cooperation.
Recognizing the importance of advancing bilateral ties, both leaders made the joint decision to promptly commence the process of enhancing diplomatic relations and formalizing the exchange of ambassadors.
Al-Sisi also extended his congratulations to President Erdogan on his reelection victory, highlighting a gesture of goodwill and recognition between the two nations.
Egypt in 2013 expelled the Turkish ambassador to the country and downgraded its diplomatic ties with Turkey, which prompted a tit-for-tat reaction from Ankara that saw it declaring Cairo's ambassador persona non grata.
Cairo accused Ankara at the time of "attempting to influence public opinion against Egyptian interests, supported meetings of organizations that seek to create instability in the country."
This positive development signifies a significant step forward in the efforts to restore and promote diplomatic dialogue between Egypt and Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won the presidential election with 52.14% of the vote, the Supreme Election Council chief said on Sunday.
"After processing 99.43% of the ballots from polling stations in Turkey and in foreign missions and border crossings, Erdogan received 52.14% of the vote, while [Kemal] Kilicdaroglu received 47.86%," Ahmet Yener told a press conference.
"According to preliminary data, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been elected the new president of Turkey," Yener underlined.
Foreign leaders gathered on Sunday to congratulate Erdogan after preliminary election results showed him ahead of opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the presidency.
Among the first to congratulate Erdogan on winning the presidency once again were the leaders of Hungary, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.
