The agreement signed between Tunis and Brussels provides in particular for better control of migrants who embark for Europe as well as the readmission of Tunisians without papers, in return for a financial package in the form of loans and direct budget support.
The European Union (EU) and Tunisia signed, on Sunday, July 16 in Tunis, an agreement for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” relating to the fight against irregular immigration in return for financial support of more than 1.2 billion euros (1 euro = 1.12 dollars) to this North African country, in the grip of serious financial difficulties.
The agreement was initialed by Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was accompanied by Italian heads of government Giorgia Meloni and Dutch heads of government Mark Rutte.
The President of the European Commission welcomed an agreement that will make it possible “to invest in shared prosperity”, referring to “five pillars”, including the thorny question of the management of migratory flows in the Mediterranean.
These five pillars are “macro-economic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, bringing people together, migration and mobility,” the Commission said in a statement.
While Tunisia is a point of departure for tens of thousands of illegal local and sub-Saharan African migrants heading to Europe, the agreement provides in particular for better control of migrants who try to reach Europe on board makeshift boats, as well as the readmission of undocumented Tunisians and the strengthening of border controls.
With regard to the energy component, the agreement concerns European support for the development of renewable energies in the Maghreb country which has “enormous potential“, according to Ursula von der Leyen.
In return for the efforts that would be made by Tunisia to reduce the flow of migrants to Europe, the EU undertakes to provide this North African country with aid of 105 million euros to fight against illegal immigration and budgetary aid of 150 million euros. “Macro-financial assistance of 900 million euros” should also be provided to Tunis in the form of loans over the next few years “as soon as the conditions are met”. This assistance is however subject to a definitive agreement between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on an aid program of approximately 2 billion dollars.
In addition, the EU should provide aid of 65 million euros for 80 Tunisian schools and extend the European student and teacher exchange program to Tunisia.
The financial support promised by Brussels comes as Tunisia is crumbling under the weight of a debt that represents 80% of its GDP and is struggling to mobilize budgetary resources, which is causing recurrent shortages of several basic necessities such as sugar, coffee, pasta, and cooking oil.
