Cairo, 27 March 2023 (TDI): Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry hosted European Commissioner for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas on Sunday.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed mutual cooperation including containment of illegal migration, food security, and economic cooperation.
In a meeting with European Commissioner, Foreign Minister Shoukry stressed the importance of “moving cooperation from the technical level to a high political level that fulfills the joint interest of both parties.
Foreign Minister Shoukry further presented that Egypt hosts nine million refugees and migrants, expressing the country’s desire for European support in its efforts in inhibiting the flow of illegal migrants through its borders.
While the European Commissioner on his part affirmed that the European Union (EU) is ready to provide support to the Egyptian state’s efforts to curb irregular migration.
Additionally, Commissioner Schinas stressed the importance that he attaches to organizing the movement of trained workforce from Egypt to the EU in a way that contributes to reducing irregular migration.
He also expressed keenness to provide education and training to the Egyptian workforce to qualify them for the European job market.
Further, Foreign Minister Shoukry highlighted the efforts to stem the flow of irregular migration to Europe, allowing no boats carrying migrants to leave Egyptian coasts since 2016.
Notably, Egyptian-EU cooperation on migration stands at 111 million euros covering 34 projects. During the meeting, the two sides also discussed enhancing economic cooperation between Egypt and Europe.
Sameh Shoukry affirmed the importance of the EU providing political support to the promising projects in Egypt.
Especially power linkage projects between Egypt and the northern Mediterranean states, enhancing power linkage projects between Egypt and the northern Mediterranean states, which improve energy security in Europe.
Also Read: EU Commissioner visits Egypt
The Spokesperson of Egypt’s Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abou Zeid added in a statement, “Minister Sameh Shoukry and the EU official also discussed several international challenges of mutual concern, foremost of which is enhancing food security & combating terrorism.”
They affirmed keenness to continue close coordination between Egypt and the EU during their joint presidency of the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF), which begins next May.
During the official visit to Egypt, Margaritis Schinas also met with Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, and discussed Egypt’s key role in promoting interfaith dialogue and coexistence.
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