Egyptian minister, EU official confer on efforts to combat human trafficking

Interior Minister Magdy Abdel Ghaffar met Tuesday with Enrico Credendino, Commander of an EU military operation to break the business model of smugglers and traffickers of people in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR Med).

The meeting took up cooperation between the Interior Ministry in Egypt and bodies concerned with countering human trafficking at the EU.

Abdel Ghaffar and Credendino also discussed security challenges in light of the latest political developments in the Middle East region.

Credendino said he is looking forward to enhancing cooperation with the Egyptian Interior Ministry to fight the illegal trafficking of people from the southern Mediterranean coasts into Europe.

This poses a threat to Europe's security, especially in light of the unprecedentedly rising terrorist attacks, Credendino stressed.

Abdel Ghaffar posted Credendino on his Ministry's strategy to counter organized crime and its successful efforts to reduce illegal immigration.

He talked about preemptive strikes targeting smugglers in border areas and efforts to secure airports and land and sea ports.

The minister welcomed the offer to boost security cooperation with EU bodies fighting illegal migration, especially where trading information is concerned.

This should further help protect lives of ordinary people from tragic drowning incidents that face illegal migrants, Abdel Ghaffar said.

He stressed that illegal immigration poses a threat to the Egyptian national security as well.