Tunisia and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding at the Carthage Palace on Sunday, establishing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in economic development, renewable energy, and combating irregular migration.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, welcomed the agreement, which aims to “invest in shared prosperity” and includes “five pillars,” including migration issues.
Tunisia is a significant departure point for irregular migrants towards the Italian coast.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni accompanied the European officials on this visit, their second to Tunisia.
The three officials conducted an initial visit a month ago, during which they proposed this partnership.
Georgieva stated that the agreement is “a significant new step in dealing with the migration crisis in an integrated manner.”
Italian Prime Minister invited Tunisian President Kais Saied to participate in an international conference on migration to be held in Rome next Sunday.
Saied, in his remarks about the agreement, emphasized the provision related to “bringing peoples together,” specifically the Tunisian and European peoples.
Meloni considered the partnership between Tunisia and the European Union “a model for establishing new relations with North Africa.”
For his part, Rutte confirmed that “the agreement will benefit both the European Union and the Tunisian people,” reminding that the European Union is Tunisia’s largest trading partner and its largest investor.
Regarding migration, the Dutch official said the agreement will allow for “better control of irregular migration.”
The agreement includes assistance to Tunisia worth 105 million euros to combat irregular migration and 150 million euros to support the country’s budget, burdened with debts amounting to 80% of its GDP and facing a liquidity shortage.
During their first visit, the European officials had mentioned “comprehensive financial assistance totalling 900 million euros” that could be provided to Tunisia in the form of a loan in the coming years.
However, this assistance is contingent on Tunisia agreeing with the International Monetary Fund to obtain a new loan, with discussions between the two parties ongoing for months.
In this regard, von der Leyen stated that Brussels is “ready to provide this assistance as soon as the conditions are met.”
