Egypt-Turkey Cooperation Raises Questions for Greece, Cyprus Partnership

Egypt's deepening defense and military coordination with Turkey is prompting scrutiny regarding its impact on the established strategic partnership with Greece and Cyprus. This trilateral alliance, initiated in 2014, was partly formed to counterbalance Turkey's influence, especially given ongoing disputes between Ankara and Athens/Nicosia over maritime boundaries and energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Egyptian experts acknowledge the complexity of balancing these regional relationships. However, they emphasize that the rapprochement with Turkey is not aimed against Greece or Cyprus and could even serve their interests. Egypt's commitment to maintaining balanced relations with all three nations positions it to potentially facilitate dialogue and bridge existing divides. The trilateral mechanism, which includes presidential and foreign ministerial meetings, has been a cornerstone of cooperation since its inception.

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Egypt stresses on all occasions and in its meetings with Türkiye, Greece and Cyprus that there was no way to resolve their disputes except through dialogue and negotiation.

Recent developments include a letter of intent on defense cooperation signed during the Egyptian Defense Minister's visit to Ankara. This marks a significant step in Egyptian-Turkish relations, which were strained following the 2013 ousting of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The strategic partnership between Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus has seen consistent engagement, with annual summit-level meetings and political consultations among foreign ministers.

Greek media, such as eKathimerini, have noted the Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement with caution, expressing concerns amid broader regional geopolitical shifts, although direct threats to Greek interests have not yet materialized. Rakha Ahmed Hassan, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, reiterated Egypt's stance that resolving disputes requires dialogue and negotiation, underscoring the nation's objective to foster equilibrium in its foreign relations.

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Egypt seeks to maintain a balance in its relations with the three countries.