El-Sisi: Egypt hosts around 10 million migrants with limited external financial support

NICOSIA – 24 April 2026: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said that Egypt is currently hosting around ten million migrants who were forced to leave their countries due to difficult conditions, while receiving only limited external financial support.

He made the statements during a summit in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, which brought together Arab, European and European Union leaders on Friday.

El-Sisi stressed the importance that the European side attaches to the issue of migration, saying that Egypt looks forward to an integrated partnership in this field.

He said such cooperation should include support for job creation, development and capacity-building, as well as the provision of pathways for regular migration and mobility for study and work.

El-Sisi said such efforts aim to address the root causes of illegal migration through a shared development agenda.

The president noted that Egypt has fulfilled its responsibilities in combating illegal migration, efforts that have been widely appreciated by international partners.

Separately, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides stressed the need for the European Union to share the burden with Egypt arising from hosting large numbers of refugees during a bilateral meeting with El-Sisi on the summit sidelines.