Italy’s overseas minister eyes migration, power on journey to Cairo

By Aidan Lewis

CAIRO (Reuters) – Italy’s Overseas Minister mentioned on Sunday his nation noticed Egypt as an necessary associate in stemming irregular migration throughout the Mediterranean and in bolstering its power safety.

Although Egypt has largely prevented departures of migrant boats from its personal north coast since 2016, the variety of Egyptian nationals crossing to Europe through Libya has risen sharply.

In 2022, 20,542 Egyptians disembarked in Italy, up from 1,264 in 2020 and the biggest group by nationality, in keeping with knowledge revealed by Italy’s inside ministry.

As a part of efforts to deal with irregular migration, Italy was “able to have extra authorized migrants, together with these coming from Egypt”, Overseas Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned throughout a visit to Cairo.

He talked about pilot tasks to offer migrants grants to review and prepare in Italy, although he didn’t give any numbers at a press convention along with his Egyptian counterpart.

Tajani additionally referred to as for a decision of Libya’s disaster that might result in elections and a brand new structure.

“The answer to the Libyan downside can also be a part of the answer of the unlawful immigration downside,” mentioned Tajani.

Each Egypt and Italy have been deeply engaged in Libya, the place migrant smugglers have discovered house to flourish amid battle and political stalemate.

Italy and Europe have been additionally trying to North Africa to satisfy their power wants within the wake of the struggle in Ukraine, Tajani mentioned.

Italy’s Eni has a robust presence in Egyptian gasoline manufacturing. Tajani mentioned Italy was working to strike extra agreements with producer international locations.

“I consider Egypt ought to develop into one in all Italy’s large companions within the Mediterranean. Italy aspires to be an enormous European power hub and on this level there will be convergence with Egypt,” he mentioned.

The instances of Giulio Regeni, an Italian scholar discovered lifeless in Egypt in 2016, and Patrick Zaki, an Egyptian who was finding out in Italy and is on trial beneath costs of spreading false information, have been additionally addressed in talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Overseas Minister Sameh Shoukry, mentioned Tajani.

“The issue was raised by the president, who advised me it was the intention of Egypt to resolve the issues, and take away all of the obstacles,” he mentioned.

An announcement by Sisi’s workplace made no point out of the instances.

(Modifying by Andrew Heavens)