Turkey Speaks of ‘Additional Steps’ to Improve Ties with Egypt

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a trilateral foreign ministers press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 May 2022. (EPA)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a trilateral foreign ministers press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 May 2022. (EPA)
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Turkey Speaks of ‘Additional Steps’ to Improve Ties with Egypt

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a trilateral foreign ministers press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 May 2022. (EPA)
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a trilateral foreign ministers press conference with his Romanian and Polish counterparts in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 May 2022. (EPA)

Turkey said it will take “additional steps” to bolster relations with Egypt, in light of efforts to normalize bilateral ties at various levels.

“Differences might exist, but severing relations is not good,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said during a meeting with with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

“We will work to take additional steps in collaboration with Egypt in this regard,” he added, noting that Ankara wants to improve ties with Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

He made his remarks days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it was possible to develop the dialogue and normalize relations with Cairo.

Dialogue may develop to reach higher levels, he said in April.

Egypt and Turkey had held "exploratory" talks in recent months in order to improve their relations.

Cairo hosted the second round of talks, which officials described as "frank and deep".

They tackled bilateral ties and regional issues. The officials agreed to continue consultations.

Erdogan said in December that his country would take steps to improve ties with Egypt and Israel similar to efforts it made with the United Arab Emirates, which led to investments.

Egypt’s FM Sameh Shoukry had previously said that Turkey was keen on changing course with Egypt, especially on the security level.

He noted Turkish statements that reflect a change in behavior and that it was steering clear of meddling in Egypt's internal affairs or harboring extremists figures that are hostile to Cairo.

An informed Egyptian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo "appreciates Ankara's efforts, but tangible steps are needed to reach a greater understanding to resolve differences."



Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
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Syria President Vows those Involved in Church Attack will Face Justice

The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP
The attack was the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December - AFP

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed Monday that those involved in a "heinous" suicide attack on a Damascus church a day earlier would face justice, calling for unity in the country.

The shooting and suicide bombing Sunday at the church in the working-class Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital killed 25 people and wounded 63, the health ministry said, raising an earlier toll of 22 killed.

The authorities said the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State group.

"We promise... that we will work night and day, mobilising all our specialized security agencies, to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime and to bring them to justice," Sharaa said in a statement, AFP reported.

The attack "reminds us of the importance of solidarity and unity of the government and the people in facing all that threatens our nation's security and stability", he added.

Condemnation has continued to pour in from the international community after the attack -- the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.

It was also the first inside a church in Syria since the country's civil war erupted in 2011, according to a monitor, in a country where security remains one of the new authorities' greatest challenges.

Since the new authorities took power, the international community has repeatedly urged the government to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria's transition, particularly after sectarian violence in recent months.