At the end of his trip to Africa, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi on Thursday. There are currently about six million refugees in Egypt and hardly anyone wants to stay. Repatriation agreements are being negotiated – in exchange for legal entry.
It is idyllically quiet on early Thursday morning on the banks of the Nile, the sun reflected in the water, the mega-metropolis awakens. But peace is deceitful, Egypt has become a powder keg. President Al-Sisi has ruled authoritarian for years, oppression and arbitrariness predominate.
Egypt: No questions allowed at press conferences
Tens of thousands of political prisoners were imprisoned without trial, websites were blocked, the media was brought into line. No questions were allowed at the press conference with Nehammer in the presidential palace either, but those present stood up when the politicians entered and applauded afterwards.
Poverty, traffickers, economic crisis
The economic crisis, rising cost of living and increasing poverty are making the situation even more tense. This is driving more and more young Egyptians into the arms of unscrupulous human traffickers who promise a trip across the Mediterranean to run a deadly business.
The country on the Nile is not only the country of origin of refugees, but also a host and transit country.
A hub for migration
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR, there are about six million migrants in Egypt, mainly from East African countries such as Somalia and Eritrea, but also from Syria. Hardly anyone wants to stay here. This has made Egypt an important hub.
Austria: 1579 asylum applications from Egypt
Since 2021, Austria has registered a strong increase in asylum applications from Egypt. In 2019 there were still 63 applications, last year there were already 1579. However, the recognition percentage is extremely low at less than two percent.
Al-Sisi would come to Austria this year
Vienna is negotiating so-called mobility agreements with Cairo – such as training cooperation or the targeted entry of skilled workers into Austria in exchange for the return of migrants. Nehammer emphasizes that there must be a clear separation between asylum and migration. The chancellor invited Al-Sisi to Vienna, and the agreement will be signed during this year’s visit.
Just last year, the EU signed an agreement with Egypt to curb migration, with €80 million flowing from Brussels to the North African country. Expand border management, coast guard and search and rescue operations.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
