No illegal migration boats from Egypt since 2016: Min.

CAIRO –21 February 2018: No illegal migration boats were recorded to have set off from Egyptian shores since 2016, Minister of Local Development Abu Bakr el-Gendi announced on Wednesday.

During the meeting of the ninth session of the Euro-Mediterranean Association, Gendi contended that the Egyptian government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to combat the phenomena of illegal immigration on the legal, military and cultural front.

Gendi pointed out the necessity of supporting the countries that are considered exporters of migrants by providing their youth with decent job opportunities to encourage them to stay in their homelands rather than seek employment overseas.

The governors of Giza, Luxor, Qalyubia and South Sinai, along with 47 international delegations and figures, all attended.

Offering another effective method for confronting illegal terrorism, the minister of local development suggested that countries open their doors for youth seeking quality education. He also praised the efforts of the Euro-Mediterranean regional and local communities in disseminating the culture of expertise exchange, strengthening economic activities in the region, and promoting political dialogue and the practice of democracy.

The Egyptian parliament approved in October the illegal-immigration and smuggling law that entails tough penalties on whoever assists and/or facilitates a process of illegal immigration. The law was drafted by the cabinet in 2015 and was sent in June 2016 to the parliament for discussion.

Parliament's efforts to approve the law came following the boat that capsized off the coast of Rashid in Beheira governorate while heading to Europe, killing dozens of people.