CAIRO (Middle East Eye) – Egypt has praised recent steps by Turkey towards normalizing ties between the two countries, reports Anadolu Agency.
Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in a TV interview late on Saturday that the softening of criticism towards the Egyptian government by Turkey-based opposition channels was preparing the ground for normalizing relations.
“This is a positive step by Turkey, and we certainly affirm that normal relations are based on non-interference in internal affairs,” said Shoukry on the channel Al-Qahira wal-Nas.
If such steps continue, they will lead to “full normalization,” he added.
Shoukry also hinted that contacts at different levels would continue to set the “optimal framework for relations and how to resume them.”
Turkey has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the rules of international law, diplomatic norms, and the principles of good neighborliness, including non-interference in the internal affairs of any country.
A Turkish delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal visited Cairo on May 5-6, at Egypt’s invitation. At the end of the visit, the two countries issued a joint statement describing the exploratory round of bilateral talks between them as “frank and in-depth.”
Both Cairo and Ankara have given positive signs in recent months, including statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, on the possibility of the two countries negotiating to demarcate their maritime borders in the Eastern Mediterranean.
This was followed by praise from Egyptian Minister of Information Osama Heikal for the recent decisions and direction of the Turkish government on relations with Cairo, describing them as a “good gesture.”
On May 7, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the start of a new phase in relations with Egypt, stressing that the talks would continue, develop and expand.
Turkey-Egypt relations have continued at the level of Charge d’Affairs since 2013. During this period, brief meetings were held between the foreign ministers of the two countries on various occasions.