The head of the largest faction in the European Parliament has urged Tunisia to reduce the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean while upholding human rights. Manfred Weber, who leads the European People's Party, recently visited Tunisia.
An agreement was struck with Tunisian authorities that involves 700 mn euros in investments in exchange for bolstered border and coastal security to halt the flow of illegal migrants toward Europe.
In Brussels on September 1, Manfred Weber discussed this issue with our correspondent Shandor Zhirosz.
"European migration policy has always been founded on, on one hand, a humanitarian ethos and respect for individual rights, and on the other hand, ensuring strict border control. This is the basis upon which we are presently aiding Tunisia, as we've done in Libya and other nations. We are providing technical support to ensure secure and dependable border control. The safety of people is our utmost concern. Our approach is unambiguous. We must honor human rights. We must respect the human dignity of every migrant. However, simultaneously, we must combat illegal migration."
Tunisia has faced criticism from European Parliament members for using excessive force against migrants. According to human rights organizations, many individuals have lost their lives when the police forced them back into the desert. Immediately upon returning from his trip, left-wing critics accused Weber of exploiting the migration issue for political gain. In his interview with Euronews, he dismissed these accusations, stating that his party does not resort to populism.
"Migration is a concern for numerous European citizens. We see this, for instance, in the scheduled referendum in Poland. The Dutch government collapsed due to migration. Therefore, this is one of the primary issues for voters. We do not wish to employ migration tactics similar to right-wing extremists, in order to frighten people and instill apprehension. Moreover, we are not moralists akin to the left, who exclusively focus on what should be done from a moral perspective."
The center-right European People's Party recently adopted a stricter stance on migration. Previously, Manfred Weber had taken a more lenient approach. For example, in 2017, he criticized then-U.S. President Donald Trump for constructing a border wall with Mexico. Now, the party leader asserts that such barriers are essential for Europe to curtail illegal migration.
"It is evident to me that we must safeguard our borders. And if we require technical measures for this purpose, as we have implemented on the Turkish-Greek border, then we will apply them. European citizens should be aware that controlling who arrives in Europe must be a state matter. Smugglers should not dictate the terms of this arrival. This is exceptionally vital for the future."
Manfred Weber emphasized that individuals fleeing conflict should have the opportunity for legal entry into Europe.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Threads pages to keep up to date on world news.
Comments (0)