The memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia was signed in Tunisia, at the presidential palace in Carthage. “TeamEurope is back in Tunis. We were together a month ago to launch a new partnership with Tunisia. Today we carry it forward ”, writes Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter, posting photos of her together with Georgia Meloni, Mark Rutte and Tunisian president Kais Saied.
EU-Tunisia: Meloni announces conference in Rome on 23 July
What has been achieved is "an extremely important result" thanks to "a great diplomatic work. We are very satisfied with the memorandum signed today" which is a "further step towards a real partnership between Tunisia and the EU, to tackle the migration crisis", said Prime Minister Meloni, after the meeting. "The partnership with Tunisia must be a model. We have worked for a long time as Italian diplomacy for this development and the partnership should be considered a model for new relations with the neighbors in North Africa. The memorandum is a starting point, which will have to be followed by various agreements". “Rome next time Sunday July 23, the international conference on migration will be held - continued the premier - Saied will be one of the protagonists, then various heads of state and government will participate". "It will be a new step in addressing the issue of cooperation in an integrated way", added Meloni.
What the EU-Tunisia agreement provides, the 5 pillars
“We were here on June 11th and after only one month we are here again. Our teams have worked very hard to quickly conclude a strong package, which is an investment in our shared prosperity, stability and future generations,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference.
"We share strategic interests, but there are also compelling reasons" that prompted the parties to reach the agreement which contains "a comprehensive package of measures to be implemented shortly,” he added. Von der Leyen explained how the agreement is based on "five pillars".
- First pillar. It is based on the development of "relations between peoples: Tunisia has a young and energetic population: it is in the common interest to create opportunities", he explained, announcing the creation of 'windows' of opportunities for young Tunisians in the Erasmus+ programme with 10 million euros to support this process which must also give capacity to those young people who want to return to their homeland. 65 million euros will then come from the EU to modernize 80 schools and prepare them for the green and digital transition.
- Second pillar. “Economic development. We will work to strengthen the Tunisian economy and make it solid and resilient against shocks, ready to provide immediate economic support”.
- Third pillar. Investments and trade: "We want to work for the private sector to attract even more investments: we are planning to organize an investment forum in the autumn", pevisato the EU president. Von der Leyen also hinted at a "possible general agreement on air transport, which would be good for tourism and connections". Focus also on digital and water resource management also for the agricultural sector and make the food sector more resilient.
- Fourth pillar. “Tunisia's potential on renewables is enormous but it must develop it and we are reliable suppliers of the necessary technologies, also because the EU needs reliable suppliers” also in view of the development of hydrogen. "We will conclude a strategic partnership on energy also to create good jobs locally and provide people and businesses with clean energy at affordable prices."
- Fifth pillar. The fight against migrant smugglers: "We will increase coordination in search and rescue activities". But "we also want to facilitate regular and legal migration - he added - We have defined a good package of measures, now we have to implement it". From the EU Tunisia receives “financing for 100 million euro"to support the action against the traffickers who manage the business of illegal immigration", announced the president of the EU Commission. “It is an issue on which cooperation is needed more than ever” between the parties.
Dutch Prime Minister Rutte underlined that the agreement signed today between the EU and Tunisia "is a milestone, a global partnership which will benefit both the EU and Tunisia and whose fundamental objective is to stimulate economic growth, jobs and prospects future".
EU-Tunisia agreement: no mention of human rights
The ambiguous position of Tunisia on human rights, where Tunisian President Kais Saied is implementing an authoritarian drift, they have been carefully ignored by the joint EU-Italy mission. The main axis remains that of macro-financial assistance. The bulk of the planned funds (900 million euros) is linked to the IMF loan and is currently stranded. However, the EU can immediately release 150 million to be injected into the Tunisian public budget (but they are insufficient to avoid a default). And then 105 million for "border control, search and rescue of migrants".
The situation in the country is tense. There were discounts, on 3 July, between the population and migrants which resulted in acts of racism. The Tunisian security forces, reports Repubblica, have forced hundreds of migrants into desert areas on the borders with Libya and Algeria, abandoned there without water or food. Tunisian President Saied, in the press point following the signing of the memorandum and without being asked, stated: "The Tunisians have given these immigrants everything that could be offered to them, with unlimited generosity".
