Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed cooperation in the fields of emigration and asylum as he met on Monday with European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in Brussels. Shoukry and Johansson discussed means to support the pathways of regular emigration, enhance the protection of emigrants and refugees and develop regional and international cooperation in these fields, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. Egypt has managed over the past five years to totally stop illegal emigration through the country into Europe across the sea, according to state's officials. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said no illegal emigrants could enter Europe through Egypt since September 2016. He noted that Egypt would not ask for anything in return from Europe or use this as a tool for political or economic blackmail. Shoukry headed to Brussels on Sunday morning to deliver a message from El-Sisi to the European Council's President, Charles Michel, and meet with senior officials at the European Commission. Shoukry separately met on Monday with Michel to deliver El-Sisi's message. They discussed bilateral relations and regional issues on top of which was the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Libya, and the Middle East Peace Process, according to a statement by the ministry. Shoukry earlier on Monday met over breakfast with a group of European Union foreign ministers in Brussels. On Sunday, Shoukry met with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, where he urged the Israeli government against any measures that may raise tensions with the Palestinians. The top Egyptian diplomat affirmed the need to move urgently towards breaking the current stalemate between the Palestinians and Israel, so that a fair and comprehensive peace process between the two sides can be launched.
