Italy and Egypt are set to strengthen cooperation on legal migration through a new labor agreement aimed at reducing irregular migration and creating more opportunities for Egyptian workers to enter Italy through authorized channels.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the agreement would be signed in Cairo on Thursday during his visit to Egypt.
Speaking to reporters after arriving at Cairo airport, Tajani said Italy would continue working closely with Egypt on migration issues, with the goal of reducing irregular arrivals while expanding legal pathways for workers.
He said closer cooperation between the two countries could lead to fewer irregular migrants and increase the number of people travelling to Italy through legal routes.
Under the planned agreement, Egyptian workers could be recruited by Italian companies after receiving appropriate training to prepare them for employment.
The initiative forms part of Italy’s broader efforts to tackle irregular migration by increasing legal employment opportunities for nationals of countries from which migrants travel to Europe.
Tajani emphasized that properly trained workers could fill positions within Italian companies, providing an alternative to irregular journeys while helping businesses access workers through regulated recruitment channels.
The agreement is expected to deepen existing cooperation between Rome and Cairo on migration management and labor mobility. Italy has increasingly sought partnerships with countries in North Africa that combine measures against irregular migration with expanded legal routes for employment.
The move comes as the Italian government continues to place significant emphasis on controlling irregular migration while promoting agreements that allow workers to reach Italy through formal procedures.
For Egypt, the arrangement could provide additional employment opportunities for its citizens seeking work abroad, while Italy would gain access to trained workers in sectors facing labor shortages.
The agreement is also expected to support Italy’s wider strategy of making legal migration a more prominent part of its response to irregular crossings and migrant smuggling.