Minister Broekers-Knol takes important step in cooperation on migration with Egypt

The Netherlands and Egypt have signed a letter of intent regarding their broad cooperation on migration. Minister Broekers-Knol signed the letter of intent during her working visit to Cairo from 25 to 27 September.

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Image: ©Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid
Staatssecretaris Ankie Broekers-Knol en de Egyptische viceminister van Buitenlandse Zaken Badr Abdel Atty.

The letter of intent states that agreements will be made on strengthening the broad cooperation on migration, including on tackling irregular migration and facilitating the repatriation of Egyptians without any prospect of obtaining legal status in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has been focusing on making repatriation agreements with Egypt for some time. This letter of intent is an important step in the right direction.

The Netherlands and Egypt both have an interest in minimising the migration to the Netherlands of Egyptians who have no prospect of obtaining legal resident status here. Providing better information on the legal migration possibilities can contribute to this. To this end, the Netherlands and Egypt will discuss this matter further.