Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: 'The EU-Egypt agreement is the best way to deal with migration flows'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that the memorandum of understanding signed between the European Union (EU) and Egypt is the best way to combat irregular migration flows.

Meloni was among the European leaders who attended the ceremony in Cairo where Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signed the memorandum of understanding, which provides for 7.4 billion euros in funding for Egypt.

In her statement there, Giorgia Meloni expressed that they are proud of the role Italy played in the realization of this agreement, saying, "This agreement with the EU is the best way to deal with migration flows. We appreciate Egypt's efforts in this regard."

Prime Minister Meloni also noted that through the "Mattei Plan," which includes development initiatives for Africa proposed by Italy, they aim to help countries of origin and transit in dealing with human traffickers through investments and incentives.

Meloni said, "We are trying to build an international alliance to fight human traffickers."

Stating that common challenges faced by countries in the region include food, water, and energy security, as well as development and migration, Meloni added, "This initiative shows our desire to strengthen and promote a new method of structural cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean."