On 27 July, EASO organised the third meeting (first in 2021) of the Third Country Cooperation Network Working Group on MENA Region bringing together Member States interested in supporting MENA countries on asylum-related matters. 

The European Commission, through DG HOME and DG NEAR, also participated in the Working Group meeting and gave important updates on ongoing migration-related dialogues with relevant partner third countries, as well as on the ongoing programming exercises aimed at contributing to the achievement of objectives set-out in the New Pact on Asylum and Migration. 

EASO provided an update on the ongoing support to Egypt as part of the Roadmap for cooperation between Egypt and EASO and informed about the plan to hold a first regional conference - as part of the Roadmap and the EASO regional pilot project for North Africa - on 12-13 October 2021, in Cairo. The regional conference will focus on international protection for persons with specific needs in the region and in the EU. Moreover, it will be the chance for officials from EU and partner countries to network and exchange on matters of mutual interest, in view of contributing to enhancing the protection space in the region.