The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, is in Egypt today for meetings with the President of the Republic, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty.
The primary aim of the visit is to sign a number of agreements, including, first and foremost, a memorandum for the establishment of an Italian-Egyptian Employment Centre. The centre is intended 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 will be funded through the new EU programme “Talent Partnerships” and is part of the broader initiatives under the Mattei Plan.
Egypt is a priority country within the framework of the Mattei Plan and a vital regional partner in tackling major ongoing crises and promoting stability in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Key topics of discussion will include strengthening cooperation on migration management and in the cultural sphere.
Talks with Egyptian authorities will also cover the main regional political 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.