Egypt's Minister of Local Development, Hisham Amna, met with the Dutch Minister for Migration, Eric van der Burg, on Tuesday at the ministry's headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was attended by the Dutch Ambassador in Cairo, as well as leaders from the ministries of Local Development and Dutch Migration. Amna emphasized the Egyptian government's commitment to strengthening cooperation and partnership with the Netherlands and the European Union in various fields that benefit both sides. Areas of coordination include addressing the issue of illegal immigration and supporting the comprehensive development process undertaken by the Egyptian state, which aims to provide employment opportunities and improve the quality of life for its citizens. Amna highlighted the efforts of the Egyptian state in curbing the flow of illegal immigration to Europe and preventing illegal immigration boats from departing Egyptian shores since 2016. The Minister of Local Development explained that the Egyptian state is implementing numerous initiatives and programs that contribute to creating job opportunities for youth and women, as well as improving the quality of life for citizens in all governorates. The Presidential Initiative "Decent Life" is among the leading initiatives, which will positively impact the lives of approximately 60 million citizens residing in rural Egypt. Additionally, it will provide hundreds of thousands of job opportunities for residents in these villages and cities across about 20 governorates. Amna also commended the role played by the Dutch Municipalities Association in supporting the ministry's efforts to implement the Local Development Program for the development of Upper Egypt in cooperation with the World Bank. He mentioned the training and capacity building of local personnel under the political leadership's directives. Amna noted that the Egyptian state hosts 9 million guests from Arab and African countries, providing them with essential services such as healthcare, education, and decent living standards, akin to those provided to the Egyptian people. The Dutch Minister of Migration highlighted that the issue of illegal immigration is one of the most significant challenges facing the Netherlands and European countries, as it affects stability and security. He commended the efforts of the Egyptian government in hosting approximately 9 million refugees and increasing the number by accommodating 300,000 Sudanese citizens due to the ongoing crisis. Van der Burg also praised Egypt's efforts in curbing the flow of illegal immigration to Europe in recent years. He emphasized the central role of the Ministry of Local Development in the sustainable development process across the governorates. He added that the Dutch government is committed to supporting the improvement of the Egyptian people's lives and the government's efforts to provide and enhance services for refugees within its territory. The Dutch government also aims to address the underlying causes contributing to migration and displacement in the region and Africa, while providing job opportunities through various projects and increasing investment rates. The Dutch Minister further emphasized Egypt's crucial role in maintaining security and stability in the Middle East region, as well as its leadership on numerous files that concern the European Union, the Netherlands, and particularly the issue of illegal immigration. Eric van der Burg also mentioned the role played by the Dutch Municipalities Association in various areas, including training, water management, and other topics that are of interest to the Egyptian government and contribute to improving the lives of Egyptians.
