The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, is in Egypt today, 24 April, where he will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty.
The main objective of the visit is to sign a number of agreements, including a memorandum for the creation of an Italian-Egyptian Employment Centre. This centre aims to support the integration of young people trained in Italian technical and vocational schools in Egypt into both the local and Italian labour markets. The Employment Centre is a strategic initiative designed to respond to the urgent demand for skilled labour by Italian companies, as well as to promote regular and orderly migration flows to Italy. The centre is funded by the new EU programme “Talent Partnerships” and is part of the initiatives under the Mattei Plan.
Among the main topics of discussion will be the strengthening of cooperation on migration management—an area where Egypt has the capacity to play a key role, particularly in tackling trafficking routes passing through eastern Libya.
The talks with Egyptian authorities will also cover the main regional issues. Italy will reaffirm its support for Egypt’s mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas and for the Arab Plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, stressing the urgent need to reach a new ceasefire in the Strip. Minister Tajani will also confirm Italy’s commitment to supporting the new Lebanese authorities and the UNIFIL mission, while welcoming the launch of negotiations between the United States and Iran on the nuclear dossier.
Finally, the mission will serve to further strengthen the already intense bilateral relations, particularly through enhanced economic cooperation. Special attention will be given to identifying new opportunities for collaboration in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agri-food, and chemicals, within the framework of the Export Plan for Italian goods in non-EU markets promoted by Minister Tajani.
