The European Union and the Tunisian Government signed this Sunday the strategic agreement to combat irregular migration, which includes, among other things: strengthen border controls and toughen the fight against human trafficking.
The agreement was signed by the Tunisian Presidency, by the President of the North African country Kais Saied, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and the first Italian Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The agreement provides substantial EU financial support to Tunisia to overcome the challenges associated with irregular migration and “strategic partnership” It also covers economic, commercial and environmental aspects.
On immigration, the Dutch Prime Minister announced on his Twitter account that the agreement includes agreements “to disrupt the business model of human smugglers, strengthen border control and improve registration and return processes”.
Last month, von der Leyen, Meloni and Rutte visited Tunisia as part of preparations for the delivery of an aid package from Tunisia. 900 million € To the North African country afflicted by a galloping economic, immigration and even political crisis, with substantial opposition that has debated Saied’s legitimacy for months.
During this visit, Von der Leyen stated that the EU will provide Tunisia with 105 million euros by 2023 to stop irregular migration, almost three times that. Annual average of EU migration funds For Tunisia in the last two years, the European Commission reported at the time.