Turkish FM in Egypt: Attack on the Greece-Cyprus-Israel trilateral partnership

Fidan, who began a two-day visit to Egypt yesterday aimed at fully restoring relations with Egypt and persuading the largest Arab country to join the Mecca Agreement, chose, in remarks in El Alamein alongside his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, to portray the Greece–Cyprus–Israel trilateral partnership as a framework directed against both Turkey and Egypt.

According to Turkish media, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that, before the Mecca Agreement, the trilateral partnership between Greece, the “Greek Cypriot Administration of Cyprus,” and Israel had attempted to “draw a line right down the middle of the Eastern Mediterranean, with Turkey on one side and Egypt on the other.” He was quick, however, to add that the Mecca Agreement establishes an alliance that “is not directed against any country, but concerns the creation of a framework for cooperation and the establishment of deterrence.”

The message the Turkish Foreign Minister wanted to send was clear, as he made a point of highlighting within Egypt the “threat” posed by the trilateral partnership with Israel, thereby putting his Egyptian counterpart in a difficult position, given Egypt’s strategic relationship with Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. It is also clear that, with this statement, he is presenting the Mecca framework as a rival to regional groupings in which Israel participates.

Furthermore, in his remarks, Fidan launched a fierce attack on Israel, stating that Israel’s refusal to allow the implementation of the agreement concerning Gaza could “push us, together with other mediators, to take a radical step jointly.” Calling on the United States to exert pressure on Israel, he warned that otherwise “Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt will have to take radical steps on this issue. This is a responsibility we owe to our nation, our people, and the Palestinians.”

Regarding the Mecca Agreement, Fidan said that Egypt is examining “certain details,” but that it is “our natural partner,” adding: “We hope, God willing, that it will soon also become our official partner.”

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, however, avoided making any specific commitments, as Cairo is quite cautious about joining a framework in which Turkey and Saudi Arabia have the leading roles. Both countries make no secret of their ambitions for a leadership role in the Muslim world, while Pakistan is a strategic rival of India, with which President Sisi maintains excellent relations.

Egypt does not wish to join camps in this rivalry and in the realignment of balances currently underway in the Middle East. It wants to maintain a distinct, autonomous role, also based on the fact that it is the most populous Arab country in the Middle East and North Africa. This is particularly important given that Egypt has managed to maintain a balance by preserving good relations with the United States as well as other major powers, while its close relationship with the UAE also plays a role in its choices.

The Egyptian government, despite the anger caused by Israel’s position on Gaza, is also not ready to join a clearly anti-Israeli defense framework. Egypt not only borders Israel, but was also the first Arab country to recognize it diplomatically. The Egyptians, without of course giving Israel a free pass, want to maintain channels of communication so that they can play an intermediary and mediating role if necessary.

Nevertheless, Fidan’s visit opens a major window for the restoration of Turkey-Egypt relations, following the deep rift caused by the overthrow of Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi by President Sisi.

During yesterday’s talks, as well as Fidan’s meeting with President Sisi today, other issues will also be discussed, including Libya, where after years of confrontation there are the first signs of an understanding between the two sides regarding Libya’s future, as well as Sudan and, of course, the war in Iran.

Turkish sources report that the Eastern Mediterranean will also be on the agenda. In light of Fidan’s statements, the aim will be to pull Egypt away from the commitments it has undertaken through its strategic relationships with Greece and Cyprus.