It is realistic to expect a funding package for immigration that will exceed 7 billion euros, with the new European Union-Egypt agreement that will be discussed on Sunday in Cairo, in the talks with the participation of the president of the European Commission and the prime ministers of Greece , Italy and Belgium.

This was emphasized by the vice-president of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, during his visit to the archaeological site of Aige, answering a journalist’s question about the immigration flows to Crete and the talks that will take place in Egypt on immigration.

“While the overall picture of migration flows in SE Europe is better overall, it is true that in recent weeks we have an increasing pressure from Libya to Crete,” said Mr. Schinas and continued: “It is an issue that concerns us, we are monitoring it very closely, we are in direct contact with the Greek authorities and we are ready to help, where necessary, as long as this development lasts.

On Sunday, the president of the European Commission with the Greek prime minister, the Belgian prime minister and the Italian prime minister will make a very important visit to Egypt to launch a very large European Union-Egypt Agreement, which will also cover the joint management of migration flows. It is a very important development and as you understand the issue of flows to Crete will be discussed.

Egypt is a very important partner in managing migration flows. We have zero departures from Egypt to Europe, but unfortunately we have an issue at the border of Egypt and Libya, through which these movements are made to Crete. It is an issue that is part of this problem and I am sure that the new EU-Egypt Agreement will deal with it at its root.

Without wanting to rush and prejudge the Sunday Agreement, I think it is realistic to expect a very significant package of financial assistance, which will cover not only migration of course but also other areas of cooperation in total, which will exceed 7 billion euro”.