Turkey’s FM Cavusoglu Hails “New Period” in Ties with Egypt

By Staff, Agencies

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu hailed a "new period" in the relations between Ankara and Cairo on Wednesday, as cited by the NTV channel.

In an interview for the broadcaster, the Turkish FM said that an exchange of ambassadors had not been discussed yet – but will be on the agenda of an upcoming high-level meeting.

The date for the talks is yet to be settled, he added, also hinting at possible official visits.

On Saturday, Cavusoglu spoke with Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in their first official conversation since Ankara announced its intention to mend the ties with Egypt.

The two exchanged best wishes on the beginning of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, with little more light shed on the conversation.

The ties between the two states went sour in 2013, after a Muslim Brotherhood-led government was toppled by the incumbent President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in a military coup.

The rivalry continued as the two nations sparred over Mediterranean exploration and backed rival sides in Libya's long-running civil war.

Earlier this week, Ankara reportedly ordered Turkey-based Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated TV channels to scale down their criticisms at Egypt.