Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı Highlights Strategic Gains from Erdoğan-El-Sisi Meeting on Türkiye's Foreign Policy
On September 5, 2024, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı, co-founder of Ankara Global Advisory Group, shared his expert insights on the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during an episode of Türkiye'nin Sözü, presented by Selin Tolunay Ilgaz on Sözcü TV. The discussion focused on the significance of this diplomatic move and its broader implications for Türkiye's foreign policy in the Middle East. Below are Prof. Dr. Bağcı’s key points from the program.
Key Insights from Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı:
Correcting Course in Foreign Policy: Prof. Dr. Bağcı emphasized the strategic importance of the Erdoğan-El-Sisi meeting as a necessary step in correcting Türkiye’s foreign policy missteps of the past decade. The country has lost considerable time, money, and energy, not only with Egypt but also with other Arab nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. He framed this rapprochement as an essential return to non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, marking a significant recalibration of Türkiye’s regional approach. The correction, while positive, comes with the high cost of missed opportunities over the past ten years.
Rebuilding Regional Alliances: Bağcı highlighted how the strained relations during the Arab Spring isolated Türkiye diplomatically, with Egypt playing a key role in this alienation. The divide contributed to the formation of regional alliances against Türkiye, involving Greece and seven other countries. The meeting with El-Sisi represents not just a bilateral reset, but a broader attempt to re-establish Türkiye’s influence in the region by reviving relationships with key Arab nations and rebuilding mutual trust.
Geopolitical Implications for the Middle East: According to Bağcı, the normalization of ties with Egypt holds long-term geopolitical value, especially in the areas of political, military, and technological cooperation. As pivotal actors in the Islamic world, both nations have the potential to shape future regional dynamics. Bağcı drew a parallel between this meeting and the cooperative spirit seen during the leadership of Süleyman Demirel and Hosni Mubarak, suggesting that this new chapter could bring similar collaboration on regional issues.
Economic Cooperation as a Key Driver: Economically, the normalization with Egypt could lead to significant cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and technological sectors, benefiting both countries. Bağcı underscored that Egypt is poised to become one of the West’s favored partners in the region, much like Israel. Thus, strengthening economic ties with Egypt could offer Türkiye opportunities to regain its competitive edge in the Middle Eastern market, especially as Egypt gains favor with global powers.
Restoring Türkiye’s Global Reputation: One of Bağcı’s most critical points was the need for Türkiye to restore its reputation both regionally and globally. He pointed out that recent foreign policy decisions have led to a loss of trust and prestige, a trend that must be reversed not only by the current government but by future administrations as well. The normalization with Egypt is seen as a step toward repairing Türkiye's damaged image, both in the Arab world and in the eyes of Western powers.
Learning from Past Mistakes: Bağcı also reflected on the lessons learned from Türkiye’s foreign policy miscalculations. He noted that past governments, influenced by ideological leanings rather than pragmatic considerations, deviated from Türkiye’s traditional foreign policy approach. By recognizing these errors, especially in its approach to the Arab Spring, Türkiye now has an opportunity to realign its strategy, focusing on national interests over ideological motivations.
Future Prospects for Türkiye-Egypt Relations: In conclusion, Bağcı expressed optimism for the future of Türkiye-Egypt relations. He believes the meeting marks the opening of a new era of cooperation in the Middle East, with the potential for both nations to jointly navigate the region’s evolving geopolitical landscape. If the relationship is managed well, Türkiye could emerge as a key player in the new regional order, bolstering its political and economic standing.
Conclusion: The Success of Normalization Depends on Effectivity of Both Nations’ Ability to Leverage Their Cooperation
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Bağcı views the Erdoğan-El-Sisi meeting as a critical moment in Türkiye's foreign policy recalibration. It offers Türkiye a chance to correct past mistakes, rebuild alliances, and position itself as a leading regional power. Moving forward, the success of this normalization will depend on how effectively both nations can leverage their cooperation to foster regional stability and mutual growth.
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