Turkey's efforts to woo rivals yield mixed results
Diplomatically isolated and economically weak, Turkey is seeking to repair relations with its regional foes. But it's no easy task.
Turkey’s multipronged diplomatic charm offensive to fend off EU sanctions and repair bruised ties with Egypt and Greece are shifting into high gear, with mixed results.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced Thursday that a delegation led by his deputy would travel to Egypt in early May at Cairo’s invitation, signaling a breakthrough in Ankara's recent efforts to mend ties with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Cavusoglu delivered the news before meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias together with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Dendias' visit, the first in two years by a senior Greek official, follows months of spiraling tensions between the two NATO allies over maritime boundaries and energy exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. It’s the highest level visit by a Greek official in the past two years and came at Ankara’s request.
