CAIRO, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said here on Wednesday that Egypt deserves financial support from Europe for its sincere efforts in combating and stopping illegal immigration.
At a press conference following a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, the Hungarian minister hailed the measures taken by Egypt to curb the illegal immigration to Europe.
"Europe has encountered security challenges coming from Africa... Egypt has been a trusted partner for addressing that crisis and prevented the illegal immigration to Europe," Szijjarto said, adding he expected the EU to support Egypt financially in facing that situation.
In regard to bilateral ties, Szijjarto noted that the economic ties with Egypt "are in best conditions ever," adding that the trade exchange between the two countries has reached 400 million U.S. dollars.
For his part, the Egyptian minister praised Szijjarto's role in promoting Egypt-EU relations in all fields.
"Egypt attaches high importance to continue relations with Hungary on a strong basis of cooperation," Shoukry added. ■