EBN – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tunisia stated that a European Parliament delegation will not be permitted to enter its territory.
This decision has drawn condemnation from the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, which is demanding a comprehensive explanation for the move.
The foreign affairs committee expressed strong disapproval, highlighting that such a move has not happened since Tunisia’s 2011 democratic revolution.
This unprecedented decision by Tunisian authorities raises concerns about the nation’s commitment to democratic values and diplomatic relations.
In response, a spokesperson representing the European Commission expressed surprise over Tunisia’s decision, emphasising that it was unexpected.
Impact on Migration Agreement Uncertain
However, they refrained from confirming whether this incident would have any bearing on Tunisia’s recent migration agreement with the EU.
The European Parliament delegation’s intended visit to Tunisia was aimed at assessing the current political situation in the country.
The previous fact-finding mission had already reported concerns about Tunisia’s political regression with regard to democratic standards and human rights.
The delegation also planned to evaluate the EU-Tunisia migration agreement, a pact that has faced considerable criticism.
The five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) designated for the mission included Germany’s Michael Gahler from the European People’s Party (EPP) and Dietmar Köster from the Socialists and Democrats.
The French MEPs Salima Yenbou of Renew Europe, Mounir Satouri of the Greens, and Emmanuel Maurel of The Left also joined the team.
Michael Gahler, who was leading the delegation, expressed readiness to visit Tunis.
EU-Tunisia Migration Deal
This decision by the Tunisian government comes on the heels of a heated debate in the European Parliament’s plenary session where lawmakers criticised the EU’s migration pact with Tunisia.
During the debate, MEP Mounir Satouri asserted that the EU’s actions effectively made it “hostage to authoritarian regimes.”
He voiced concerns over relinquishing border management to autocratic governments and its potential vulnerability.
MEPs have consistently voiced their reservations about the EU-Tunisia agreement, highlighting the failure to acknowledge Tunisia’s human rights violations.
They also criticised the European Commission for its association with Tunisia’s President Kais Saied.
The Tunisian president has promoted far-right conspiracies regarding migrants’ influence on Tunisia’s demographic composition.
