The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, along with the Prime Ministers of Italy and the Netherlands, is scheduled to return to Tunisia on July 16 to finalise the details of a €1 bn deal, reports The Guardian. The aim of the deal is to address the issues of people smuggling and support Tunisia's struggling economy. The package involves €900 mn of macro financial assistance and an additional €150 mn to support a reform agenda set by the International Monetary Fund. Within the overall €1 bn package, €105 mn will be allocated to establish a partnership focused on combating people smuggling, human trafficking, and maritime tragedies.
This trip follows their previous visit to Tunisia a month ago when the package was initially unveiled. The European Union (EU) has been keen to emphasise the broader economic aspects of the deal to overcome negotiation challenges, particularly after Tunisian President Kais Saied declared that his country would not serve as the EU's border guard. By signing the deal, the EU aims to showcase its commitment to reducing the number of migrants crossing its borders, especially in member states where migration is a contentious political issue.
However, concerns have been raised by some politicians in the European Parliament regarding Tunisia's democratic situation. They caution against providing Tunisia with a deal on a silver plate, fearing a breakdown of democracy in the country. Several MEPs have criticised the pact, emphasising the importance of ensuring full respect for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. They argue that the release of funds should be contingent upon these conditions.
The EU package includes a comprehensive air transport agreement, which could support tourism, and a €150 mn digital cable link called "Medusa," intended to enhance research and education collaborations with Europe. Nonetheless, some European capitals share the concerns of human rights bodies regarding President Saied's commitment to democratic principles, particularly regarding the return of economic migrants to Tunisia.
To address this, a compromise deal reached last month will allow individual countries to determine whether Tunisia is a safe country for asylum seekers. This provision seeks to accommodate the concerns of member states uncomfortable with sending migrants back to Tunisia while navigating the delicate balance between migration management and upholding democratic values.
In June, Daryo mentioned that the President of Tunisia, Kais Said, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on June 11. The purpose of the visit was to discuss measures to prevent the influx of refugees and migrants from reaching Europe.
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