Egypt, Greece Seek to Deepen Cooperation on Migration

Egypt and Greece agreed to strengthen cooperation on migration and labor mobility during talks in Cairo on Tuesday, as both countries sought to expand coordination on tackling irregular migration while promoting legal pathways for employment.

Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, met with Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum **Thanos Plevris to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on migration and labor issues.

Abdelatty hailed the longstanding strategic ties between Egypt and Greece, saying bilateral relations have witnessed significant progress since the two countries elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. He stressed Egypt's commitment to building on the current momentum to broaden cooperation across a range of sectors.

The minister underscored the importance of maintaining close coordination in combating irregular migration through a comprehensive approach that addresses its security, development, economic and social dimensions, while tackling the root causes of migration.

He reviewed Egypt's efforts to secure its borders and combat irregular migration, saying the country's experience has become a successful regional and international model that contributes to security and stability in the southern and eastern Mediterranean.

Abdelatty also highlighted the importance of fair burden-sharing under the Egypt-European Union Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, describing it as a reflection of the shared responsibility for addressing migration challenges.

The talks also focused on expanding legal migration and labor mobility. Abdelatty called for the effective implementation of the seasonal labor agreement signed between Egypt and Greece in November 2022, including broadening the sectors covered by the deal to create additional employment opportunities for Egyptian workers while meeting the labor needs of the Greek market.

The Egyptian foreign minister also reaffirmed Cairo's commitment to supporting the Egyptian community in Greece, stressing the importance of continued coordination with the Greek authorities to safeguard the rights of Egyptian nationals and facilitate their integration into Greek society.

In turn, Plevris praised the steady development of Egyptian-Greek relations and commended Egypt's role in promoting security and stability in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. He reaffirmed Greece's support for Egypt in addressing regional challenges and expressed Athens' commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of migration and labor.