The Greek Current

Are Turkey and Egypt on a path toward normalizing relations?

Episode Summary

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in Egypt on Saturday to push to restore full diplomatic relations between the two countries. Dr. Nervana Mahmoud joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this visit means for Egypt-Turkey relations, and break down whether Turkey can deliver on the steps Egypt wants it to take if it is to normalize relations.

Episode Notes

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in Cairo on Saturday for the first time since ties were ruptured a decade ago to push to restore full diplomatic relations between the two countries. The move comes despite lingering tensions over Turkey’s support of the Muslim Brotherhood, its presence in Libya, and its provocative stance in the Eastern Mediterranean - three issues Cairo reportedly wants to see Ankara take steps on if it is to normalize relations. Dr. Nervana Mahmoud joins Thanos Davelis to look at what this visit means for Egypt-Turkey relations, and break down whether Ankara can deliver on Cairo’s conditions.

Dr. Nervana Mahmoud is a regional observer and independent commentator who writes mainly about Egypt, liberal Islam, women rights, radicalism, and wider issues about the Middle East. Her work has been featured in major outlets and publications. She also publishes a regular newsletter on Egypt.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Turkey's foreign minister in Cairo for first time since ties cut a decade ago

Egypt, Turkey Close to Resuming Full Diplomatic Relations

Local credit system is steady

Stournaras: Greek banks’ exposure to Credit Suisse ‘almost zero’

Serbia, Kosovo reach pact on implementing peace plan, EU’s Borrell says

Kosovo and Serbia agree to EU plan to normalise relations