Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry and EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Ylva Johansson launched on Monday the third EU-Egypt Migration Dialogue.
During a meeting on Tuesday, both sides held detailed discussions, co-chaired by Ambassador Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs and Ms. Helena König, Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service and Mr Johannes Luchner, Deputy Director-General of DG Home, European Commission.
The EU- Egypt Migration Dialogue covered all aspects of comprehensive cooperation on migration. Participants emphasized the importance of a close strategic engagement. They exchanged views on all issues related to migration, including socio-economic aspects and the need for more investment to create jobs, as well as providing the necessary equipment.
They also discussed common challenges such as combating trafficking and smuggling of human beings, support efforts to promote regular migration and commended Egypt's significant efforts to stop illegal migration since September 2016 as well as the burden of hosting millions of migrants, including Syrian refugees.
The EU and Egypt look forward to further strengthening their cooperation on migration, as part of the broader EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities.
The first session of the EU-Egypt Migration Dialogue took place on 17 December 2017 followed by the second session on 25 June 2019.
"Egypt hosts six million refugees and migrants who enjoy similar services provided for the Egyptians," said Ahmed Hafez, spokesperson of Egypt's Foreign Ministry, adding the Egyptian government has applied an approach based on respecting the rights of the refugees and the migrants by integrating them into the Egyptian society and eliminating all forms of discrimination against them.
On her part, Johansson emphasized the EU's support for Egypt in combating illegal migration and in hosting the migrants and refugees. Enditem
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