European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisian President Kais Saied on July 16, 2023 in Tunis (AFP/-)
The European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding in Tunis on Sunday for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” relating to the fight against irregular immigration, renewable energies and the economic development of this Maghreb country.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed an agreement intended to “invest in shared prosperity”, referring to “five pillars”, including migration issues. Tunisia is a departure point for thousands of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
The Italian heads of government Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Mark Rutte accompanied the European leader after a first visit a month ago by the trio, during which they had proposed this partnership.
This is “a new important step to deal with the migration crisis in an integrated way”, said Ms. Meloni, who invited Tunisian President Kais Saied, present at her side, to participate next Sunday in Rome in a summit on migrations.
The latter spoke in turn to insist on the section of the agreement relating to “bringing people together”.
According to Ms. Meloni, the partnership between Tunisia and the European Union (EU) “can be considered as a model for the establishment of new relations with North Africa”.
Mr. Rutte for his part considered that “the agreement will benefit both the European Union and the Tunisian people”, recalling that the EU is Tunisia’s leading trading partner and its leading investor.
On immigration, he assured that the agreement will allow “better control of irregular immigration”.
The agreement includes aid of 105 million euros to fight against irregular immigration and budget support of 150 million euros as Tunisia is strangled by a debt of 80% of its GDP and is short of cash .
During its first visit, the European troika had mentioned “macro-financial assistance of 900 million euros” which could be provided to Tunisia in the form of a loan over the years to come.
Ms von der Leyen said on Sunday that Brussels “is ready to provide this assistance as soon as the conditions are met”.
This “assistance” from the EU is conditional on an agreement between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan from the Fund, a file which has been deadlocked for months.
© 2023 AFP
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