Balancing Interests: Economic Cooperation and Ideological Divergence in Turkish-Egyptian Relations since 1948

This article examines the evolution of Turkish-Egyptian bilateral relations from their formal establishment in 1948 to the present day. While economic cooperation between Ankara and Cairo has generally aligned with the mutual interests of both states, political engagement has remained comparatively unstable, shaped by both domestic dynamics and broader geopolitical shifts. During the Cold War decades, ideological divergences and conflicting regional alignments largely defined the tenor of the relationship. It was only with the global reconfiguration following the Cold War’s end that Turkey and Egypt began to prioritise pragmatic economic partnership. Drawing upon governmental records and the documentation of international organisations, this study traces the principal phases of political and economic interaction, identifying key turning points. The analysis foregrounds the Arab Spring as a pivotal episode that reshaped the trajectory of Turkish-Egyptian relations. Despite ensuing political antagonism and divergent positions in regional conflicts, notably in Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean, trade relations persisted and, in some areas, expanded. The authors argue that while entrenched ideological and political divisions continue to complicate relations, shared economic interests have acted as a stabilising force. Recent developments in Gaza may offer a renewed opportunity for rapprochement and strategic realignment.

Egypt, Turkey, foreign policy, foreign economic relations, Arab Spring, Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Mediterranean