Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting the European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, has spoken highly of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s ‘Decent Life’ initiative, calling it “distinguished” with “noble goals”.
Schinas, in an interview with the Middle East News Agency (MENA) yesterday, said that President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen had officially announced support for ‘Decent Life’, allocating 50 million euros for the initiative.
Indeed, the ‘Decent Life’ initiative has “noble” goals and aims to develop villages and rural areas across the country, Schinas said.
Just like the EU, Egypt is “a peace project” and “a country that produces stability”, Schinas said, stressing that the two sides work to promote peace.
Asked about his current visit to Egypt, the EU official said he is here to thank Cairo for its efforts to counter illegal immigration. The pan-European body will continue to morally and financially support this file, Schinas noted.
Egypt is a major partner of the EU; one that plays a big role in managing the immigration file, he said.
During his three-day visit to Egypt, Schinas held high-level meetings with senior Egyptian officials. He was also received by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese.
Schinas further told MENA that he will continue holding meetings in Cairo with a number of senior officials and government representatives before his visit to Alexandria. He underlined that he will also make a field visit to the project, funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Regarding EU-Egypt co-operation, Schinas described Egypt-EU ties as “historically and culturally close”, stressing that Cairo plays a major role in achieving stability and security in the region, particularly in light of its key role in combating illegal immigration, organised crime and smuggling.
The EU official also lauded the great progress and development that has been achieved in Egypt in many important areas, including religious coexistence, interfaith dialogue and workers’ rights.
Schinas also lauded Egypt’s efforts in combating terrorism, noting that counter-terrorism also includes fighting organised crime, smuggling and cybersecurity.
He revealed that there is an initiative related to investment through European financial institutions, as 1.5 billion euros will be allocated.
