Turkish mourning for Egypt’s victims ‘significant’

A day of national mourning observed by Turkey in the wake of last week's deadly attack in Egypt would help normalize relations between the two countries, analysts said on Monday.

On Friday, over 300 people were killed and scores of others injured when attackers bombed a mosque and opened fire on worshipers in Bir al-Abed town of northern Sinai.

Flags flew at half-mast over buildings across Turkey on Monday to mourn victims of the attack.

Professor Kemal Inat, director of Middle Eastern Institute's at Sakarya University, said that one-day mourning announcement was a very important gesture by the Turkish government in terms of international relations.

"Turkey's mourning declaration is a clear indication that it wants to normalize relations with Egypt," he said. "I believe Cairo's attitude towards Turkey's support will be positive.''

Emrah Kekilli, a researcher in Ankara-based Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), said: ''The positive course of economic relations in 2017 and goodwill gestures on humanitarian issues can offer a positive contribution to softening Egyptian-Turkish relations.''

Prof. Tayyar Ari, Bursa-based Uludag University's Economics and Administrative Sciences Faculty Dean said: "Turkey is approaching with the same sensitivity in the face of any problem in a Muslim country. This is the mission of Turkey.''