Egypt-Turkey relations.
Tensions between Egypt and Turkey rose ahead of the Berlin international conference on Libya on January 19, culminating with Egyptian forces raiding the Cairo offices of Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on January 15. Bilateral relations have been strained for years, but the deployment of Turkish troops in aid of the embattled but UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in early January added to the tensions, which may have as much to do with the development of the eastern Mediterranean’s vast natural gas reserves as the ongoing conflict in Libya.
Increased friction between NATO partners Turkey and Greece is unwelcome at a time when the alliance is already under stress.
A geopolitical energy dispute will add another layer of volatility in the eastern Mediterranean region.
Egypt must have access to gas resources to support its expanding population.
