Erdogan returns to the Arab game: what the visits to Riyadh and Cairo have changed

The visits of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Saudi Arabia and Egypt have become an indicator of a quiet but systematic reassessment of the balance of power in the Middle East. Ankara is consistently restoring ties with those with whom it was recently in a tough political conflict, and is doing so at a time when the region is experiencing another stage of reformatting.

This is not about symbolic gestures, but about Turkey’s return to the center of regional diplomacy — with the economy, security, and global agenda on the same negotiating table.

Why now: the context of regional shift

The rapprochement between Ankara and Riyadh and Cairo did not arise suddenly. The process began several years ago — after the reconciliation of Saudi Arabia and Egypt with Qatar in 2021. Turkey, closely linked with Doha, received a window of opportunity to reset relations with key Arab capitals.

Erdogan’s first visit to Saudi Arabia after a long pause took place in April 2022. Then followed reciprocal steps, a handshake with the Egyptian president at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and exchange visits in 2024.

The current stage of rapprochement coincided with a period of cooling relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, as well as a de facto pause in the normalization of relations between Israel and Riyadh. It is in this vacuum that Turkey is strengthening its presence.

Saudi Arabia: economy, energy, and defense

The visit of Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Saudi Arabia was the first since the summer of 2023. In Riyadh, he was received by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the Turkish-Saudi investment forum was held in parallel.

As a result of the negotiations, four agreements were signed — in the fields of justice, renewable energy sources, the peaceful use of space, and scientific research and innovation.

The joint statement of the parties covered the entire spectrum of relations: from mutual investments to the coordination of positions on regional and global conflicts. Special emphasis was placed on energy — oil and petroleum product supplies, petrochemicals, as well as joint projects in agriculture and innovative use of hydrocarbons.

The parties agreed to accelerate feasibility studies on connecting electrical grids, develop cooperation in the field of renewable energy, energy storage, and infrastructure security.

A separate point confirmed the intention to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense.

The Palestinian issue and the international agenda

The situation in the Gaza Strip occupied a special place in the joint statement. Turkey and Saudi Arabia expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis, advocated for unhindered access to humanitarian aid, and emphasized the need to comply with international humanitarian law.

The parties confirmed their support for the idea of creating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, as well as the important role of UNRWA in providing basic services to the Palestinian population.

In addition, the document mentioned Yemen, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, and Ukraine — on all these fronts, Ankara and Riyadh recorded mutual support for positions.

It is in this context that Turkey demonstrates an attempt to integrate into the new architecture of regional diplomacy, which directly affects the interests of Israel and its partners. NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency has repeatedly noted that such shifts in the Arab world change the conditions for all players in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Egypt: pragmatism and trade

The next stop was Cairo, where Erdogan met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. In parallel, a Turkish-Egyptian business forum was held.

Speaking at it, the Turkish leader emphasized that the cooperation of the two countries contributes to the stability of the region and has significant unrealized potential.

Ankara and Cairo announced their intention to increase the volume of bilateral trade to 15 billion dollars. The role of Egypt in delivering Turkish humanitarian aid to Gaza and the readiness for joint participation in the post-war reconstruction of the sector were separately noted.

Signed documents and practical steps

In Cairo, a substantial package of agreements was signed, including a framework military agreement and memorandums of cooperation in the regulation of the pharmaceutical market, plant quarantine, veterinary services, social protection, youth policy, and sports.

A joint statement by the ministries of trade and investment of the two countries was also adopted, marking the transition to closer economic interaction.

What this means for the region

The consistent steps of Ankara in Riyadh and Cairo show: Turkey is returning as an active mediator and an independent center of power. This is not an alliance against someone, but an attempt to integrate into a new reality where previous configurations no longer work.

For Israel, these processes are as important as for the Arab capitals — because Turkey’s diplomatic routes increasingly intersect with key regional issues, from security to energy and humanitarian policy.

Source: “Falafel” (subscribe @mideastr).