Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met Monday with the European Union commissioner for migration, home affairs, and citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos, in the presence of Minister of Immigration Nabila Makram, according to a statement released by the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid said in the statement that Avramopoulos praised Egypt’s pioneering role and important partnership with the EU in combating terrorism. They also tackled the phenomenon of illegal migration and its implications on the security of the EU and the Middle East.
Meanwhile, German officials are reportedly negotiating a new scheme with the EU whereby they will be able to send illegal migrants back to North Africa, including Egypt and Tunisia. They said that they will have to apply for asylum at centres in these countries that will be funded by the EU, and if their applications are accepted, they will be safely sent to Europe. However, the illegal migrants will not be sent back to Libya.
Professor of political science Hassan Nafaa told Daily News Egypt that returning migrants to any country is a severe violation of human rights. He said that this suggestion stands in direct correlation to the rise of the extreme right-wing groups in Germany.
Nafaa also added that [asylum seekers] must have fled their countries for a reason, be it war or turmoil, and they cannot be sent back as this would be a violation of international laws.
In statements made by German chancellor Angela Merkel in September, she said that Germany will adhere to its policy in receiving asylum seekers.
German Intelligence sources reportedly said on Sunday that members of Islamic State (IS) will apply for asylum as normal refugees and will file all required documents to infiltrate Europe without drawing attention.
The rate of immigrant influx from Africa and the Middle East to Europe is unprecedented since the second world war. According to statistics, Europe received over 1 million refugees in 2015.
