Tunisia and Greece conducted a joint military exercise on Thursday in international waters on the fight against illegal activities, including illegal immigration and smuggling, informed by the Tunisian Defense Ministry.
“This exercise aims to develop cooperation between Tunisia and Greece in the fight against all dangers at sea, including illegal immigration and smuggling”, told AFP the spokesperson for the ministry of Mohamed Zekri Defense.
The manoeuvres were also aimed at “developing maritime surveillance” and “search and rescue” operations at sea, he added, adding that they had taken place not far from the Tunisian coast.
Tunisia has mobilized a special naval military force and a fast patrol boat. On the Greek side, a military vessel, the “HS SALAMIS F 455”, was deployed, added the ministry in a statement released Friday evening, without further details. Tunisia, which is experiencing a political and socio-economic crisis, records daily numerous irregular departures from its coasts to Europe.
In 2020, the number of irregular departures was the highest since 2011, the year of the revolution marked by a peak, followed by a sharp drop. The authorities have repeatedly called for more cooperation in the Mediterranean to combat this phenomenon.
