Sisi, Austrian Chancellor discuss illegal migration, terrorism

CAIRO - 17 December 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi stated that Egypt hosts five million refugees who live among its citizens. That was during a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz in Vienna.

The president stated that 11,000 refugees arrived in Egypt in 2018 and were inhibited from departing to Europe with the aim of protecting them against the risk of loss in the Mediterranean.

Egyptian policies inhibit the establishment of any refugees camps on its soil, and supports their integration into the society.

The president also revealed that he held talks with the Austrian chancellor on the future of terrorists who fled conflict areas after the defeat of the groups they were affiliated with. They discussed whether they should allow them to return to their homelands or to let them move to other vulnerable states.

Kurz expressed appreciation for the economic reforms undertaken by Egypt thanking the president for Egypt’s efforts to combat illegal migration to Europe.

The purpose of the four-day state visit to Austria by President Sisi is the participation in the Africa-Europe Forum summit, co-hosted by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

President Sisi will deliver a speech on Egypt's vision to push forward development efforts in Africa since the country will chair the African Union (AU) in 2019.

Regarding bilateral relations between Egypt and Austria, the president's visit will include meetings with a number of politicians, senior officials and investors on furthering cooperation in trade, educational and scientific research, transport and investment domains.

A host of African and European leaders are to take part in the event aiming at enhancing African-European partnership.