Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty has stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with the European Union through a comprehensive approach that links migration and development. He said irregular migration was a shared challenge that required closer coordination based on mutual interests, to support stability and development in the region. Abdel-Aty made the remarks during a phone call on Sunday from European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner. He underlined the need to continue bilateral cooperation projects, both under the comprehensive strategic partnership and existing cooperation programmes. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing partnership on legal migration by launching joint training and vocational education programmes to qualify Egyptian workers and help integrate them into the European labour market in line with its needs. Abdel-Aty reviewed the burden Egypt bears in hosting nearly 10 million foreigners, including refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, all of whom receive access to essential services on par with Egyptian citizens. He also outlined the economic pressures this creates. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English Subediting: M. S. Salama
