EU agreement with Tunisia to slow migration

The agreement was signed in Tunisia by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisian President Kais Saied.

Ursula von der Leyen described the agreement as a “declaration of intent for a strategic and reciprocal partnership”.

“More than ever, we need effective cooperation,” von der Leyen told a news conference at the presidential palace, giving examples of efforts against networks of “smugglers and traffickers” and “search and rescue operations.”

President Kais Saied said he expects the agreement to be followed by a number of binding agreements, indicating that the negotiations have not been completed.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who is also in Tunisia, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, made it clear that the agreement must be approved by EU member states.

He rejects criticism

The agreement comes at a time when Tunisia has come under fire for its treatment of migrants. Last winter, the president accused “hordes” of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa of wanting to change the demographics of Tunisia.

Rising tensions between Tunisians and migrants drove large numbers of migrants into the desert from the port city of Sfax in early July.

Said claimed that immigrants are treated well in his country.

– The Tunisian president said that the Tunisian people offered these immigrants everything imaginable, with unlimited generosity, while many organizations, which are supposed to play a humanitarian role, are only evident through press releases.

Conditional loans

Tunisia and Libya are the countries of departure for the vast majority of migrants who make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean each year. The International Refugee Agency (IOM) says that at least 1,166 people disappeared or were confirmed dead in the Mediterranean in the first half of this year.

Earlier, the European Union concluded an agreement with Libya stipulating that the Libyan Coast Guard would assume responsibility for patrolling the Mediterranean Sea in exchange for financial support from the European Union.

No details of the agreement with Tunisia were disclosed, but when Ursula von der Leyen visited the country in June with the prime ministers of Italy and the Netherlands, she said the EU was ready to provide Tunisia 105 million euros to support the fight against irregular migration. And 150 million in instant support. In addition, long-term loans of up to 900 million euros have been put in place, provided that Tunisia agrees with the International Monetary Fund on a large loan package.

Said has repeatedly opposed what he calls “dictation” on the part of the IMF.