Egypt and Italy will soon launch a center for jobs and migration in Cairo, the latest in a series of steps taken by both nations to combat irregular migration, Minister of Emigration and Expatriates' Affairs Ambassador Soha Gendy stated on Monday.
The center will resemble the recently established Egyptian-German Centre for Jobs, Migration and Reintegration (EGC), the minister added during a ceremony held in Cairo to celebrate the 78th Italian National Day.
The move aims to achieve sustainable development and enhance joint efforts to support labour migration and cooperation through strategic partnerships, Gendy said.
She expressed the government’s keenness to pursue all means that help Egyptian youth enroll in distinguished vocational training and later find safe job opportunities in various labour-attracting markets, especially countries of the union.
The Egyptian minister also highlighted the historic relations between Egypt and Italy, noting that they have recently witnessed a quantum leap at all levels, according to a ministerial statement.
Minister Gendy said she discussed in her latest meeting with Italian Ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni means to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in many fields, including promoting safe migration and training for employment and confronting migration challenges.
As European countries like Italy and Greece have been key destinations for irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Egypt's northern coast, Cairo has introduced several measures in recent years to prevent migrant boat departures from its shores.
Egypt, which hosts around nine million migrants, has repeatedly asserted that it will never be a transit point for illegal migrants eyeing Europe.
Source: Al-Ahram Online
