In truth, what more than trade agreements could we expect between Egypt and Turkey? And I do not mean to downplay at all with this statement that I just wrote, the visit of Egyptian President Al Sisi to Turkey on Wednesday, after 13 years of coolness between the relations of the two states.
And yes, once upon a time, the economy and trade, especially during the Cold War, shaped the camps and alliances, and of course, there are states, most notably China, that traditionally impose their imperial power through their economy. However, as scientists dealing with International Economics, International Transactions, and International Economic Law claim, the International System is no longer bipolar but multipolar, which automatically indicates that the allied and corporate environment is a complex of multifactorial nature. Also, China does not merely sign Memoranda of Cooperation, but the investment aspect is predominantly placed upon regional institutions and multilateral agreements.
Egypt and Turkey signed 17 Trade Memoranda in the fields of energy, education, road works, competition policy, labor, technology, and communications. However, we did not see a mutual defense agreement. In technology and communications, one might reasonably argue that the defense aspect exists through the purchase of a series of defense system technologies. To tell the truth, neither a Turkish nor an Egyptian site finally mentioned the purchase of Turkish drones. However, it is known that a defense agreement is an interstate treaty creating legal realities quite different from Memoranda of Cooperation.
And of course, since China was mentioned, let’s include in all of this (…food for thought), that also on Wednesday, Xi Jinping promised $50 billion in trade agreements for Africa.
From there onwards, based on the articles from Egyptian and Turkish sites, the issues discussed between Sisi and Erdoğan were the vital concerns that Egypt has in Africa (Sahel, Nile/Ethiopia dam, Horn of Africa, Red Sea) and which Turkey has naturally extended its political and military tentacles into.
Regarding the war in Israel, it is a fact that each state addresses it based on its vital interests, and as it turns out, they approach it very differently. At least that is what we understand from what an Egyptian source mentioned to ahram.org: “We agree more with Qatar than with Turkey regarding how the war started and what the Palestinians might have avoided if Hamas had not launched the operation on October 7”… as we must not overlook that Egypt considers Hamas an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood. Also, a rhetorical question: Is it possible for Egypt to leave a political issue like the Palestinian cause, on which it has invested its Modern and Contemporary History and Diplomacy, in the hands of Turkey?
Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Israel gave an interview on Wednesday to foreign correspondents, explaining why his operational military stance in this war is focused on the geographical crossing that exists south of Gaza. We must mention something because the propaganda misinformation regarding a verbal attack by the Israeli Prime Minister against Egypt has, in the last 24 hours (as we saw from the reactions of Arab states), created a problem between two countries which undoubtedly share a common purpose and objective: the fight against terrorism, and I am of course referring to Israel and Egypt. Dermer, a close advisor to Netanyahu, simply stated to a news network after the latter’s interview that “Netanyahu never questioned Egypt’s intentions in fighting terrorism.” The Israeli advisor’s statement is very clear.
Based on Dermer’s positioning, but mainly Netanyahu’s, we must say something, without burying our heads in the sand, that Egypt very well understands that there are pockets of extremism within its borders. At this time, the presence of Israeli forces in that specific geographical area must be because it simply protects both Israel and Egypt from terrorism. Israel only seeks security, and this has been evident from the statements of both the Prime Minister (regarding the reason for deploying troops at the Philadelphi crossing) and other Israeli political and military officials. On September 2, in a related article of mine (see here), I essentially mention what Netanyahu sought yesterday: the participation of the International Community to protect not only Israel’s existence but also that of Egypt and Jordan. Egypt, under President Sisi, is a serious State and once again must prove how it perceives its existence and future in the broader region, primarily ensuring its internal establishment.
Egypt must cooperate at this moment (without asterisks and reservations) with Israel to combat terrorism… It is a matter of vital interest…