The European Commission plans to tackle political and economic instability in Tunisia, which is leading to an influx of migrants caused by economic instability, according to an internal memo sent to member states, seen by EURACTIV.
“The deterioration of the political and economic situation in the country, marked by rising food prices and high unemployment, is of growing concern,” says the Commission’s note on the situation in the country. country, which was once the poster child for the Arab Spring democratic uprising.
Since March, “the situation has deteriorated on three fronts: the question of Tunisia’s financial viability, the question of the political environment, and finally the question of migration – we have migrants transferred, essentially, to Italy,” echoed a senior EU official.
The situation is therefore “very worrying”, several EU diplomats said as EU foreign ministers met on Monday (24 March) with Tunisia on the agenda for the second consecutive month.
“We are particularly focused on the migration front and supporting the Tunisian people,” said an EU diplomat.
Border management
According to the note, the European Commission proposes to tackle the current influx of migrants from the country to the EU, which has seen a tenfold increase in irregular arrivals from Tunisia in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
This influx is due to internal problems, including the fact that President Kais Saied has hinted that the arrival of sub-Saharan migrants is part of a plot to take control of the country.
Southern Member States are concerned that the current conflict in Sudan could trigger a migration flow to North Africa, including Tunisia, which would increase pressure on systems and the illegal migration route across the sea Mediterranean.
At the same time, the European Commission is optimistic that the pact on migration and asylum will be finalized before the European elections next year. This “recent considerable increase justifies increased cooperation efforts in this area in order to alleviate migratory pressure and save lives at sea”, explains the Commission in the memo.
One of the “key areas” of work includes “reducing irregular departures by supporting Tunisian border and migration management as well as search and rescue capabilities”.
The European Commission plans to use “part” of the additional 110 million euros that the President of the European Commission, Ms. Von der Leyen, has indicated that she is “making available” for projects in North Africa “in addition to the 208 million euros planned to meet the challenges linked to migration”.
The money will be used to finance equipment, the note specifies, “for example ships”. The EU executive says there is already a tender “in progress for radar equipment to strengthen Tunisia’s coastal surveillance and maritime rescue coordination center”, the point of view contact for incidents at sea.
“Efforts to strengthen cooperation with Frontex”, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, among others, are also planned, writes the Commission, in order to “increase cooperation in the fight against trafficking migrants and human trafficking”. While “ensuring full respect for fundamental rights”.
The European executive proposes to “seek to increase patrols and search and rescue operations while guaranteeing respect for the fundamental rights of migrants”. Other areas of work include “exploring cooperation” between European and Tunisian maritime rescue coordination centers, exchanging information, and planning the repatriation of those who do not have the right to remain in the EU, whether in Tunisia or in other states.
The European executive also mentions the need to carry out “an assessment of specific needs” with the Tunisian authorities.
Macro-financial assistance in question
The European Commission is “preparing a substantial macro-financial assistance package” and “exploring the possibilities of additional budgetary support to Tunisia”, indicates the internal memo.
But the macro-financial assistance package that the European Union could send to Tunisia is “pending a Tunisian agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)” on the package of 1.9 billion euros conditioned by respect for democracy, the note says.
“We don’t want Tunisia to collapse financially. That would be bad news for everyone. But we need political preconditions,” the EU official said.
Member states are divided on whether the EU should support Tunisia financially without IMF help. “The Tunisian authorities must move towards an agreement with the IMF,” an EU diplomat told EURACTIV. “This is a key point to allow the EU to move forward with economic support,” he added.
On the other hand, member states like Italy have been pushing for the EU to step forward and disburse the money even without President Saied’s commitment, which would allow the country to benefit from some support and avoid bankruptcy.
