The European Union (EU) plans to pay up to 164.5 million euros (around 550 million dinars) over three years to Tunisian security forces to reduce migratory flows.
This is what the Financial Times reveals, recalling the agreement signed last year in which Brussels promised Tunis 105 million euros in funding for migration, a large part of which has not yet been disbursed.
According to the London newspaper, however, the EU will overall spend much more on immigration through different funding streams over the next three years, with around two-thirds of the expected €278 million going to security and border management. The rest will finance programs such as the repatriation of migrants to their countries of origin, the fight against human trafficking, and the protection of refugees.
EU-funded programs involving Tunisian security forces, the FT explains, include a training academy for the country’s national maritime guard, created in collaboration with the German federal police.
EU funds will also finance equipment such as radars and national guard ships, as well as land border posts.
Tunisian security forces have increased interceptions of boats in the Mediterranean since the arrival of migrants in Italy last August. According to European diplomats and international humanitarian staff, Tunisian security forces have been involved in numerous illegal detentions and expulsions of migrants and asylum seekers.
The EU ombudsman is investigating how Brussels will ensure its funds in Tunisia are not used for human rights abuses.
Despite these allegations, the EU and its member states are reluctant to put pressure on Tunisian authorities because they fear losing communication channels and fear that the number of migrants will increase again, causing political problems in the country.
An Italian government official said it was important for Europe to continue engaging with Tunisian authorities to combat security threats and stem the influence of rival powers in the region. “We are exerting light pressure, but blackmail is not working,” the official was quoted as saying by FT.
The Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied violating migrants’ rights and said that “people intercepted at sea or in an irregular situation are treated under national legislation and Tunisia’s international commitments. “
The European Commission said it was in contact with the Tunisian authorities and was “closely monitoring the situation of migrants in Tunisia and on the borders with Algeria and Libya”.
