In the speech addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nabil Ammar, to the United Nations General Assembly
Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar called on Saturday for the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to deal with the issue of irregular migration.
This is what emerges from the speech he delivered during his 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, United States.
Ammar stressed “the need to adopt a comprehensive approach to confronting the issue of irregular migration, an approach based on eliminating the root causes of this phenomenon and not on its results.”
He stressed that “all parties – countries of origin, transit and destination – as well as regional and international organizations must assume their responsibilities in this regard”, calling for “to successfully complete the process of the International Conference on development and migration, initiated in Rome (on July 23) at the initiative of Tunisia and Italy.
Ammar estimated that “the phenomenon of irregular migration has worsened in our geographical area, due to the low levels of development in many countries of our African continent, the long duration of conflicts and the effects of climate change, in addition to criminal networks which take advantage of the fragility of the situations of thousands of people and their search for better life opportunities, whether in the countries of the south or the north of the Mediterranean, or even in the countries south of the Sahara” .
And to explain that Tunisia “has always managed the issue of irregular migration to the best of its abilities, with full responsibility, on the basis of its firm attachment to human rights and its respect for its international obligations.”
Ammar stressed that “Tunisia will not accept the de facto settlement of irregular migrants and we also condemn any irresponsible political or media exploitation of the suffering of victims of irregular migration in the service of political agendas.”
The Tunisian authorities announce, every week, that they have foiled attempts at irregular migration towards European coasts and that they have arrested hundreds of migrants, originating from Tunisia or other African countries.
In previous statements, Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed indicated that his country “does not accept that people who do not respect its laws reside on its territory, nor to be a transit country (towards Europe) or a place of resettlement for nationals of certain African countries”.
The Tunisian president declared that “there are criminal networks responsible for irregular migration operations towards Sfax (south)”, according to a press release published at the time by the Presidency of the Tunisian Republic.
Tunisia is under increasing European pressure to strengthen control of its coasts and prevent the departure of migrant boats.
