Egypt is strategic partner of EU -- EU official

CAIRO - 17 December 2017: EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said Egypt is a strategic partner to the European Union (EU) on several levels.

The remarks were made Sunday as part of the dialogue between Egypt and the EU regarding the immigration, which was launched by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Avramopoulos.

Egypt and the EU have a common interest in securing the stability of the region and managing the migration in a better way, the EU commissioner noted, adding that a major step forward in cooperation between both parties was taken.

The dialogue tackles all the issues related to the migration, including prevention of human smuggling and trafficking, strengthening legal channels for migration and movement, preventing illegal immigration and the protection of refugees and asylum seekers.

The dialogue is consistent with the EU-Egypt partnership priorities from 2017 to 2020, which were issued in July 2017.