The European Union and Tunisia concluded on Sunday 16 July in Tunis a “strategic partnership” It focused on combating irregular migration but also aimed to support the North African country in the face of serious economic hardship.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement, which wouldInvesting in Shared Prosperityconjure up “five pillars”, including the very important issue of immigration. Tunisia is the main departure point with Libya for the thousands of migrants crossing the central Mediterranean towards Europe.
sequel after announcement
The Italian heads of government, Giorgia Meloni and the Dutchman Mark Rutte, accompanied the European leader after the first visit of the trio a month ago, during which they proposed this partnership.
Erasmus extended to Tunisia
The five pillars Macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, bringing people together, migration and mobilityUNHCR specifies in a press release.
signs of understanding “An important new step to deal with the migration crisis in an integrated way”She welcomed Giorgia Meloni, who invited Tunisian President Kais Saied to participate next Sunday in Rome in a summit on migration.
In Tunisia, the dangerous rapprochement between Giorgia Meloni and Kais Said
In particular, it is planned to extend the Erasmus exchange program for Tunisia and an aid of 65 million euros for 80 schools.
sequel after announcement
Support for renewable energies
On the energy front, European leaders indicated that Tunisia is concerned about undersea fiber optic cable projects and electric cables to connect the two shores of the Mediterranean.
In this regard, the European Union wants to support the development of renewable energies in the Maghreb country that it has “huge potential”Ursula von der Leyen stressed.
According to Giorgia Meloni, the partnership between Tunisia and the European Union “It can be considered as a model for establishing new relations with North Africa”.
As for immigration, Mark Rutte, the head of the Dutch government, estimated that the agreement would make it possible Better control of irregular migration.
sequel after announcement
President Saeed raised this issue before his counterparts, calling for Collective Agreement on Inhumane Migration and (Forced) Transfers by Criminal Networks.
Overt xenophobic speech
“The Tunisians gave these immigrants everything that could be offered with unlimited generosity.”Kais Saied appealed harshly to the manner in which hundreds of immigrants were arrested in Tunisia at the time “deportees”According to NGOs, to inhospitable areas on the borders with Algeria and Libya.
AFP phone testimonies and video clips sent to NGOs in Tunisia showed women and children abandoned in the desert without water, food or shelter.
Libyan border guards told AFP on Sunday (July 16) that they had rescued at least 70 migrants who were wandering in unbearable heat and without any assistance in a border area between the two countries.
sequel after announcement
Xenophobic rhetoric has become increasingly common in Tunisia since Kais Saied, who assumed full power in July 2021, denounced illegal immigration in February, citing “Hordes of Sub-Saharan Migrants” came, he said, “Changing demographics” from the state.
Tunisia: Kais Said or the Authoritarian Drift of a President
New ways to collaborate
Concretely, the agreement between Brussels and Tunisia provides 105 million euros in aid to fight irregular migration. The European Union has also promised direct budget aid of €150m in 2023. Debt at 80% of its GDP, Tunisia suffers from a lack of liquidity, causing regular shortages of basic necessities products that the state buys directly.
During her first visit, the European troika spoke about A.A Total financial assistance of 900 million euros., in the form of a loan that was to be provided to Tunisia over the next few years. Brussels is staying, Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday “Willing to provide such assistance as soon as conditions are met”.
but this “support” It is conditional on an agreement between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund on a new loan worth $2 billion, a file that has been deadlocked for months.
President Said rejects two basic conditions for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund: lifting subsidies on basic products and restructuring state institutions that are facing difficulties. He should Searching for new means of cooperation outside the international monetary framework.He said on Sunday.
