It's safe to say that relations between Egypt and Turkey are strained.
According to the Associated Press, Egypt expelled Turkey’s Ambassador Huseyin Avni Botsali from Cairo and in return Turkey barred Egypt’s ambassador.
The Ambassador was expelled after Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Egypt for the overthrowing of former President Mohammed Morsi and called for him to be freed.
Z news reported that Mohammed Morsi was in prison since he was ousted by the military in July. Morsi’s trial will begin on Jan. 8 of next year and he is being charged with killing those against his regime.
Erdogan’s criticism of Egypt’s handling of Morsi is not surprising considering that him and Morsi had a good relationship. When Morsi was first ousted Erdogan began his criticism of Egypt. Since then the relationship between the two countries has been hanging on by a thread.
The New York Times noted that Turkey blamed Egypt for the strained relationship, but is hoping that things can get better, “…after friendly and brotherly Egypt reclaimed stability and democracy.”
Egypt made it clear that it was downgrading its relationship with Turkey and Turkey is downplaying its relationship with Egypt.
Prime Minister Erdogan is unwilling to let go of his pro-Morsi stance, “All should have stood up against what has happened to Mr. Morsi, but they didn’t,” he said.