This came during a phone call on Monday in which El-Sisi congratulated Erdogan on being re-elected for a new presidential term, the statement added, noting that the Turkish president expressed in turn "his appreciation for this kind gesture from the president."

During the phone call, both presidents affirmed the depth of the historical ties that bind the two countries and peoples and agreed to strengthen the relations between Egypt and Turkey and promote cooperation between them, the spokesperson added. 

Over the past year, Cairo and Ankara held rounds of talks at the ministerial level in a bid to normalise relations after both countries broke off diplomatic relations in 2013.

In April, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Cairo. In a joint press conference, Shoukry announced that Egypt and Turkey have agreed on a timeframe for upgrading diplomatic relations.

During the same press conference, Cavusoglu also announced that the Egyptian and Turkish sides coordinated to hold a meeting between El-Sisi and Erdogan, noting that “a timetable for mutual ambassadorial appointments with Egypt will be announced soon”.