Egypt, Italy discuss establishing legal channels for migration  

Minister of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates’ Affairs Soha Gendi received Saturday 18/03/2023 Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to discuss ways of establishing safe and legal channels for migration.

Establishing such channels will contribute to combating illegal immigration, added Gendi during the meeting.

The current visit of the Italian interior minister to Egypt is of special importance, as it represents a new phase in the ties binding Egypt and Italy, she further said.

Gendi, meanwhile, affirmed utmost keenness on discussing all issues which will contribute to enhancing bilateral cooperation in immigration sphere.

Egypt has attained remarkable progress in combating illegal immigration, she boasted.

The minister further referred to the Lifeboats Presidential Initiative, which aims to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal immigration, saying that this initiative was launched upon directives issued by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

The minister also proposed cooperating with the Italian side to qualify the Egyptian youth to acquire the necessary capabilities needed by the Italian labor market.

For his part, the Italian minister lauded the vital role played by the Egyptian community in Italy, saying that they are the biggest Egyptian community in Europe.

Italy welcomes the increase in the number of Egyptian immigrants but only through legal channels, he added.

The minister pointed out to the current cooperation between Egypt and Italy in the Italian hotel school in Fayyoum governorate.

SIS