CAIRO, Dec 5 (Aswat Masriya) – Turkey's ruling party said that inclusive reconciliation in Egypt requires releasing political prisoners and holding free elections, Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Relations between Egypt and Turkey largely deteriorated following the military ouster of former president Mohamed Mursi in July 2013, after mass protests against his rule. Turkey, who was a strong ally of Mursi's regime, has repeatedly expressed opposition to the current Egyptian government.

Justice and Development (AK) Party Deputy Chairman Yasin Aktay said that Turkey couldn’t stay silent about “injustices” in Egypt, adding that his country supports any reconciliation efforts in Egypt should it be inclusive of every segment of the society.

“This reconciliation must include all elements of the society,” Aktay told Anadolu.

“Turkey offers advice and does not interfere… Ankara always advises Egypt to be moderate, it advises all countries to be fair towards their people,” he added. 

Egypt has been accusing Turkey of intervention in its international affairs and its support to the Muslim Brotherhood group, which is now banned in Egypt and considered as a terrorist organisation. 

“Whoever was arrested after this date [July 3] is innocent, the putschists are the criminals.

“Those in prison have managed to win legitimate elections and they are innocent people who didn't kill or engage in terrorism…they shouldn't be compared to terrorist organisations in Turkey,” he added.

Turkey has arrested hundreds of professors, media personnel and eliminated large numbers of army officers and judges from their jobs over their role in an attempted military coup that was quashed by forces loyal to the government. 

In November, Egypt expressed its astonishment of statements by Erdogan on freedoms in Egypt, saying they are a continuation of the confused approach and double-standards that have characterised Turkish policy during recent years.

“Ankara sees evident injustices in Egypt now, and it can’t remain silent,” he said, describing the current administration in Egypt as a "fait accompli". He insisted that the Egyptian administration should deal with its people with “respect”. 

He also added that the Egyptian administration should rely on its people, saying that if it relied on “foreign powers as Israel or other forces that have bad intentions”, it might be adversely affected. 

“It may appear that this administration will continue to rule but it would collapse from the inside and it might be the beginning of other tragedies," he said, warning of the consequences of relying on foreign powers.

“The Egyptian administration will not be able to continue long in this injustice, because it adversely affects the society’s security and lead to its collapse,” added Aktay, who is also the party's spokesman. 

Following reports about restoration of ties with Turkey, Egypt’s foreign ministry had highlighted in a statement in July the need for the Turkish leadership to recognise the June 30 Revolution as a precondition for repairing ties.

The spokesman of the AK party said that as Turkey has a history in military coups, they know they are short-lived. He added that coups take over power without the consent of the people and described them as “unethical” and “inhumane”.

“We want them [Egyptian administration] to be ethical,” he added.