Tunisia and the European Union (EU) have signed a “strategic partnership” deal aimed at combatting human trafficking and tightening borders in response to the sharp increase in boats leaving Tunisia for Europe. The agreement follows weeks of negotiations and Europe’s commitment of 1 billion euros ($1.12 billion) in aid to Tunisia to support its struggling economy, address its financial challenges, and tackle the migration crisis. The majority of the funds are conditional on economic reforms.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte highlighted the key elements of the deal, stating that it includes measures to disrupt the business model of people smugglers and human traffickers, strengthen border control, and improve registration and repatriation processes. These steps are essential in efforts to prevent irregular migration.
Ursula von der Leyens, the President of the European Commission, announced that the EU will allocate 100 million euros to Tunisia specifically for combating illegal migration. Additionally, the agreement promotes macro-economic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, and legal immigration.
In recent months, thousands of undocumented African migrants have arrived in the city of Sfax, Tunisia, with the intention of heading to Europe on traffickers’ boats. This migration crisis has presented unprecedented challenges for Tunisia.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her satisfaction with the partnership, highlighting its importance in addressing the migration crisis. She also announced an upcoming international conference on migration in Rome that will bring together heads of state, including Tunisian President Kais Saied.
Official data shows that by July 14, 75,065 boat migrants had reached Italy, compared to 31,920 in the same period last year. More than half of them departed from Tunisia, surpassing Libya as the main launchpad for migrants.
Tunisian President Saied recently stated that his country would not serve as a border guard for Europe, emphasizing Tunisia’s concerns regarding the burden of managing the migration crisis.
The signing of this strategic partnership between Tunisia and the EU marks a significant step towards addressing the ongoing migration challenges in the region. The allocation of financial aid and the implementation of measures to combat human trafficking and strengthen border control are crucial in tackling the migration crisis. However, the success of the partnership will depend on the effectiveness of the agreed-upon actions and the commitment of both parties to their implementation.
($1 = 0.8907 euros)