The European Union (EU) and Tunisia have recently inked a memorandum of understanding aimed at addressing irregular migration while enhancing economic cooperation between the EU and Tunisia.
The North African nation has been a significant transit point for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe.
The signing ceremony took place at the Tunisian presidential palace, where European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with Tunisian President Kais Saied. This meeting follows a series of talks between the leaders as the number of migrants departing from Tunisia and attempting to reach Europe has surged in recent months.
President Von der Leyen hailed the accord as an investment in shared prosperity and stability, emphasizing the historical and geographic ties between Tunisia and the EU.
She highlighted the need for effective cooperation to tackle the issue of irregular migration. President Saied echoed her sentiments, stressing the urgency of collective action to combat what he referred to as “inhuman migration” orchestrated by criminal networks.
Prime Minister Rutte praised the agreement’s measures to disrupt the operations of human traffickers, strengthen border control, improve registration processes, and enhance return policies.
He emphasized the essential role of these initiatives in curbing irregular migration. Prime Minister Meloni welcomed the agreement as a significant step in addressing the migration crisis and extended an invitation to President Saied to participate in an international conference on migration scheduled for July 23.
As part of the partnership, the EU announced a potential aid package of up to 900 million euros ($1,010 million) to support Tunisia’s economic development and migration-related challenges. Specific assistance mentioned by President Von der Leyen included a 10-million euro ($11 million) program to facilitate student exchanges and 65 million euros ($73 million) in EU funding for the modernization of Tunisian schools.
Regarding migration, the EU and Tunisia agreed to collaborate on an anti-smuggling partnership, strengthen coordination in search and rescue operations, and enhance border management efforts. President Von der Leyen pledged 100 million euros ($112 million) toward these joint endeavors. The EU has been pursuing such agreements for years, seeking to establish North African countries as “disembark platforms” for migrants and refugees before their relocation.
The need for increased cooperation in addressing irregular migration is underscored by the soaring number of arrivals in Italy. According to the Italian interior ministry, over 75,000 migrants have reached the Italian coast by boat since the beginning of this year, a significant surge compared to approximately 31,900 during the same period last year.
Experts view this agreement as an attempt to reshape the dynamics of African mobility and reinforce control over migration.
Yasmine Akrimi, a researcher at the Brussels International Center, emphasized that the EU has long sought to turn North African countries into safe third countries where refugees and migrants can be relocated. Tunisia, in particular, is considered a crucial departure point for sub-Saharan migrants embarking on the treacherous Mediterranean crossing.
However, tensions surrounding migration have been mounting in Tunisia, with recent incidents reflecting growing anti-migrant sentiment. In July, hundreds of migrants were either forced out or fled Sfax, Tunisia’s second-largest city, following racial tensions triggered by the killing of a Tunisian man in a confrontation between locals and migrants. Tunisian authorities have also faced criticism for allegedly abandoning migrants in the desert without adequate provisions.
Amine Snoussi, an independent journalist in Tunis, highlighted the adverse effects of anti-migrant sentiment, including evictions and job terminations, which have created an uncertain future for migrants in Tunisia. Snoussi noted that Tunisia lacks a legal framework to address the influx of migrants effectively.
The EU-Tunisia partnership aims to address these challenges comprehensively, combining efforts to combat irregular migration with measures to foster economic development and stability. By bolstering cooperation and investing in shared objectives, the EU and Tunisia strive to create a more prosperous and secure future for both regions.
