Written by: Mohammed Omran
President Abdel Fattah received SisiToday, Mr. Barham Salih, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, was present, along with Dr. Badr Abdel-Aty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptians Abroad, Dr. Hanan Hamdan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representative to the Arab Republic of Egypt and to the League of Arab States, Rima Jamous Amsis, the UNHCR Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, and Ms. Riz Garde, Special Assistant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Sisi and the UN High Commissioner discuss strengthening support for refugees in Egypt
The official spokesman for the Presidency of the Republic stated that the President welcomed the High Commissioner’s visit to Egypt, congratulating him on assuming his new position at the beginning of this year, and affirming Egypt’s pride in the existing cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in providing international protection for refugees and asylum seekers residing in Egypt, and managing the asylum process in accordance with the national law regulating this matter, stressing His Excellency’s readiness to continue this cooperation in a way that enhances international solidarity and supports refugees.
Ambassador Mohamed El Shenawy, the official spokesperson, indicated that the President reviewed the efforts made by Egypt through hosting more than ten and a half million foreigners, migrants and refugees of different nationalities, against the backdrop of many international and regional crises, stressing the state’s keenness to provide them with basic services within its capabilities, while ensuring respect for Egyptian laws and its international obligations.
The President affirms Egypt's commitment toSupporting refugees and calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities
The President stressed that Egypt has never used the refugee issue to achieve political goals, emphasizing the importance of activating the principle of sharing burdens and responsibilities and increasing international support directed to Egypt, as well as supporting the new national system whose executive frameworks are being completed to deal with asylum issues.
The President also called for adopting a comprehensive approach to addressing the phenomenon of asylum and displacement, aimed at addressing its root causes, including political and security crises and economic challenges, in order to contribute to achieving sustainable development and promoting peace and stability in the countries of origin.
Egypt calls for international support to cope with the burdens of hosting refugees
The official spokesperson added that the High Commissioner expressed his deep appreciation for the visit to Egypt and the meeting with the President, stressing the Commission’s keenness to strengthen its longstanding cooperation with the Egyptian government in providing protection for refugees and supporting host communities.
He also praised the great efforts made by Egypt in hosting millions of foreigners, migrants and refugees, expressing the Commission’s appreciation for the burdens borne by the Egyptian state to ensure the sustainability of the services provided to them, and stressing the need to strengthen international support in line with the scale of these efforts, emphasizing in this regard that the burdens placed on Egypt are enormous, and that there must be real support and effective participation in the responsibilities associated with hosting foreigners, migrants and refugees.
In the same context, the High Commissioner stressed the essential role played by Egypt and the President in achieving regional stability, noting that Egypt represents a pivotal and historically stable point of reference in the region.
The official spokesperson stated that Mr. Barham Salih also welcomed the steps taken by the Egyptian state to launch the new national asylum system, appreciating the establishment of the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs, and affirming the Commission’s readiness to provide all aspects of support for these efforts.
The UN official also briefed the President on his vision for the work of the Commission during the next phase in light of the worsening global challenges related to asylum, pointing to the Commission’s strategy aimed at reducing the number of refugees globally, and expressing his hope to continue cooperation with Egypt in this regard, especially in light of its pivotal role in various regional and international issues.
