Egypt-EU Migration Dialogue emphasises Egypt's stability and development as key to Europe security

Ahram Online , Wednesday 17 Jul 2024

Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates hosted on Tuesday the 4th session of the Egypt-EU High-Level Migration Dialogue, where officials from both sides emphasised that Egypt’s stability and development efforts are key to achieving stability and security for the EU countries and the entire region.

Part of the Egypt-EU Migration Dialogue in Cairo, 17 July, 2024. Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry

Several officials from Egypt and the EU attended the dialogue, headed by Ambassador Khaled Emara, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for European Affairs, and Ambassador Simon Mordue, Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service.

According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's statement, the session highlighted Egypt's remarkable efforts to prevent irregular migration since 2016, including enacting legislation to combat irregular migration.

The session also pointed out that Egypt is currently hosting more than 10 million migrants and refugees, who, according to some international estimates, constitute around 8.7 percent of the country's total population.

Furthermore, the Egypt-EU Migration Dialogue allowed the Egyptian and European sides to conduct a realistic analysis of the issue of migration.

During the session, both sides viewed attracting more European investments to Egypt and creating decent and suitable job opportunities for youth as extremely important.

They also affirmed that the EU has to meet Egypt's increasing needs to combat irregular migration.

This is the fourth round hosted by Cairo following three previous sessions, held in December 2017, June 2019, and November 2021.

This session reflects the historical development in relations between Egypt and the EU, following the Egypt-EU summit in March, and the Egypt-EU investment conference in June.

In recent years, thousands of refugees and migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean searching for better jobs and opportunities.

The Egyptian Mediterranean coastline has been one of the main departure points for migrant boats. Egyptian security forces have halted many irregular migration attempts.