Egypt, Turkey to Exchange Ambassadors Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
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Egypt, Turkey to Exchange Ambassadors Soon

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a Justice and Development Party meeting (AFP)

Turkey said that ties with Egypt are improving, saying that a meeting be held soon between their foreign ministers to name ambassadors to each other's countries

The two countries pulled back their ambassadors in 2013 and reduced their level of representation to charge d’affaires.

Ankara pointed out that there are a number of issues that must be coordinated and tackled with Cairo.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that both countries are engaged in ongoing talks, noting that his meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry has not yet been determined, but soon be.

Cavusoglu said in an interview with Turkish state television that the meeting of the foreign ministers and the resumption of diplomatic representation at the level of ambassador will take place during the coming period, stressing that efforts will be made to boost those relations.

The minister believes that Turkey and Egypt are not on different sides on the Libyan issue, adding that the two countries can also cooperate on the issue of Palestine.

Earlier, Spokesman for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party Omer Celik said that his country and Egypt have work to do regarding bilateral relations, Libya and the Mediterranean.

Following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the ruling party headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Celik underlined the need for coordination with Egypt on several important issues, pointing to ongoing discussions aimed at improving bilateral relations.

The intelligence services in the two countries continue their talks on security issues, despite the rupture of relations between Ankara and Cairo, Celik said.

The talks that started between our intelligence services have moved to the framework of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From now on, steps will be taken to enable us to focus on concrete issues through mutual discussions and consultations.

Last week, Erdogan said that his country wants to make the most of opportunities for cooperation with Egypt and to improve relations based on mutual benefit.

“Our cultural relations are very strong, and we have solid historical ties with Egypt. We have great potential for cooperation in a wide range of fields, from the eastern Mediterranean to Libya,” the Turkish president stated.

After a series of Turkish statements of rapprochement with Egypt, which were followed by contacts between the two countries' intelligence services, a Turkish delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal visited Cairo on May 5-6.

A joint statement revealed that the discussions touched on bilateral and a number of regional issues.



ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
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ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas Officials

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses lawmakers in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem. Monday Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory.

The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict.
Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic.

US President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request.

But the ICC said Thursday that Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required.

Israel launched its war against Hamas after militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year.

Health officials in the Gaza Strip said Thursday the death toll from the 13-month-old war has surpassed 44,000.

The Israeli offensive has also caused heavy destruction across wide areas of the coastal territory and displaced 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people.