After a decade of strained relations, Cairo and Ankara are now focused on restoring ties and addressing key regional and commercial issues.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Ankara on Wednesday. This visit is significant as it is the first time an Egyptian head of state has visited Turkey in 12 years, marking a crucial step in mending the decade-long strained relations between the two countries. The meeting aimed to formalize the reconciliation process.

Erdogan personally welcomed el-Sissi as he arrived in the Turkish capital, as shown in images released by the Turkish presidency. The two leaders are scheduled to hold a joint press conference at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT).

In addition to discussing diplomatic relations, el-Sissi and Erdogan are expected to address a range of commercial and regional issues, according to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu. Among the key points of discussion are the signing of approximately 20 agreements covering various sectors, including trade, energy, defense, tourism, health, culture, and education. Future cooperation on renewable energy and liquefied natural gas is also on the agenda.

According to Turkey's Hürriyet newspaper, the two nations aim to increase their bilateral trade from $10 billion (€9.3 billion) to $15 billion. The leaders are also expected to discuss the situation in various global regions, with particular attention to the conflict between Israel and the radical Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey has been actively seeking to prosecute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and has lauded Cairo's efforts to broker a cease-fire in the region. Additionally, Turkey has sent thousands of tons of aid to Egypt for Palestinians.

The situation in Libya, Sudan, and Somalia is also likely to be on the agenda during their discussions.

This meeting follows Erdogan's visit to Cairo last February, the first by a Turkish president to Egypt in 12 years. During that visit, the two nations began talks on restoring ties. The process of rapprochement actually began in 2020 when Ankara initiated diplomatic efforts to improve relations with countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

In recent years, el-Sissi and Erdogan have had occasional interactions, including a meeting at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Doha and a condolence call from Egypt to Turkey after the 2023 earthquakes.

Since last year, the two nations have resumed appointing ambassadors in each other's capitals, and Ankara has pledged to provide Egypt with armed drones. Despite the decade-long hostilities, both countries have maintained commercial relations. Egypt remains Turkey's largest trading partner in Africa, and Turkey is Egypt's fifth-largest trading partner.

The diplomatic rift between Egypt and Turkey dates back to July 2013, when el-Sissi led a coup against the Muslim Brotherhood-led government. At that time, Erdogan declared that he would never meet with el-Sissi, labeling him a coup leader and undemocratic.