Honorary chairman of the Euro Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA) Mohamed Abul Ainain has praised Egypt's efforts in countering illegal migration.

Egypt is working on a top-priority strategy to track down those involved in illegal migration crimes, Abul Ainain said in a meeting of the UN General Assembly Monday on immigration and refugees.

He added that Egypt supports all efforts to foil attempts to smuggle illegal immigrants.

The number of illegal immigrants reached 65 million by the end of 2015, including 40 million internally displaced persons, Abul Ainain noted.

He called for solving conflicts, which are the main reason behind immigration. All support should be provided for countries that fight terrorism, which is another reason behind the influx of migration and asylum, Abul Ainain stressed. He also pressed for an international agreement to regulate safe migration.

Source: MENA