Denmark urges support for Egypt amid rising migratory pressures

COPENHAGEN, Denmark

Denmark's Prime Minister said Monday that mounting migratory pressures in Europe and North Africa demand urgent international assistance to support Egypt as it hosts refugees and migrants, local media reported.

"We must help Egypt to carry out the great task of hosting many refugees and migrants," Mette Frederiksen's said ahead of an upcoming visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to the Nordic country on Saturday, according to public broadcaster DR.

"We must also stand together to find solutions to the massive irregular migratory pressure affecting both Europe and North Africa," Frederiksen added in the press release.

She further stressed that conflicts in the Middle East and Europe have become global challenges that require cooperation and strengthened partnerships.

Security policy, migration, and the green transition are expected to be central items on the agenda of Al-Sisi's official state visit, the first by an Egyptian president to Denmark.

According to official UNHCR data, Egypt currently hosts over 792,783 registered refugees and asylum-seekers from 62 nationalities. As of October 2023, Sudanese nationals represent the largest group of refugees, followed by Syrians. Other major countries of origin include South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia, and Iraq.

As of Sept. 30, 2024, the refugee population registered with the UNHCR includes 503,993 Sudanese, 158,406 Syrians, 46,059 South Sudanese, 39,768 Eritreans, 18,685 Ethiopians, 8,661 Yemenis, 8,476 Somalis, and 5,719 Iraqis, with refugees from more than 54 other nationalities.