By Manal Abdel Fattah
As part of his successive meetings with the European Union Commissioners in Brussels prior to the Egyptian-European Union Association Council, Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission and European Commissioner to spread and promote the European way of life.
Ambassador Ahmed Abu Zeid, the official spokesman and director of the Public Diplomacy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Vice President of the European Commission was keen at the beginning of the meeting to convey a political message to the Minister of Foreign Affairs confirming the consensus and awareness of the European Union institutions of the importance of raising relations between Egypt and the European Union to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, and enhancing Bilateral cooperation through new cooperation axes within the framework of this comprehensive partnership to meet the priorities of both sides.
The Vice-President of the European Commission was also keen to stress the European Commission’s keenness to quickly complete all procedures related to the launch of the comprehensive strategic partnership, which will have a positive and tangible impact on all areas of bilateral cooperation between the two sides.
For his part, Minister Sameh Shoukry welcomed the positive position of the European Union institutions towards upgrading relations with Egypt in light of the common awareness of the importance of these relations to enhance development, security and stability in the region, and in confronting common regional and international challenges.
The official spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the meeting also discussed consultations on ways to enhance cooperation in the field of immigration in light of the priority that this field receives on the priority agenda of both sides, as Minister Shukri reviewed the successful efforts made by the Egyptian state in the field of confronting the phenomenon of illegal immigration, Which contributed to stopping all illegal immigration boats heading to Europe from Egypt since September 2016, based on a comprehensive approach that extends to the developmental and social aspects of the phenomenon and does not reduce it to security treatment, in addition to Egypt hosting more than 9 million foreigners, both refugees and migrants, and its tireless efforts. To integrate refugees and immigrants, and provide them with all services, despite the magnitude of the economic challenges facing Egypt as a result of successive crises, whether global or regional.
Ambassador Abu Zeid added that Minister Sameh Shoukry was keen to stress the importance of existing cooperation with the European Union in the field of immigration being within a comprehensive framework based on linking immigration to development and addressing the root causes of illegal immigration. He also stressed the importance of accelerating the completion of the implementation of agreed-upon cooperation projects in this field, expressing his aspiration towards strengthening European support for the Egyptian state’s efforts to prevent illegal immigration flows across its borders. Minister Shoukry also stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of regular immigration and launching technical and vocational training and education programs to qualify Egyptian workers for the European labor market and give them regulated job opportunities, which will contribute to reducing the number of illegal immigrants to European Union countries.
For his part, Skinas expressed the European Union’s appreciation for the efforts made by Egypt as a pillar of security and stability in the region, and confirmed the full European awareness that is not tainted by any doubts of the regional and pivotal role that Egypt plays in strengthening security and stability in the region, especially in light of the current regional developments. He also appreciated the Egyptian efforts made to confront the phenomenon of illegal immigration, stressing the European Union’s readiness to provide more support to Egypt in light of the priority represented by Egypt and this area for the Union, and what Egypt has proven to be a reliable partner in cooperation in the field of immigration.
