Egypt and Türkiye Sign Defense Cooperation Agreement

Egypt and Türkiye expanded their bilateral military ties through the signing of a letter of intent on defense cooperation. The agreement was formalized on July 13, 2026, during a visit to Ankara by Egyptian Defense Minister Ashraf Salem Zaher.

This military rapprochement follows a broader effort by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to restore diplomatic relations with Türkiye since 2023, building on a foundation established during a May 2013 visit. The move signals a shift toward deeper strategic alignment between the two regional powers.

The growing partnership has created tension with Greece and Cyprus, as those nations remain in dispute with Türkiye over energy resources and maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt has maintained a strategic trilateral cooperation mechanism with Greece and Cyprus since 2014.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty described the trilateral mechanism with Athens and Nicosia as "a model for cooperation and regional integration." Egyptian officials suggest Cairo may now serve as a bridge to facilitate dialogue and integration among the three parties involved in the Mediterranean disputes.