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The European Union wants to negotiate with Egypt and Morocco partnerships similar to the one it has just concluded with Tunisia, to prevent irregular immigration. Both countries are susceptible to points for migration because of their geographical proximity to Europe
The European Union wants to negotiate with Egypt and Morocco partnerships similar to the one it has just concluded with Tunisia, to prevent irregular immigration. Both countries are susceptible to points for migration because of their geographical proximity to Europe. Recently, the EU and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding in Tunis for a comprehensive strategic partnership that also focuses on the country’s economic development and renewable energies.
The agreement with Tunisia provides for EU aid of 105 million euros intended to prevent the departure of migrant boats to the EU from the Tunisian coasts. The agreement also stipulates the return of Tunisians who are in an irregular situation in the EU. Also, the agreement provides for the return from Tunisia of migrants from sub-Saharan Africa to their countries of origin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wanted the partnership to be a model for future agreements with countries in the region to prevent illegal migration and at the same time help the countries where people are forced to migrate to grow economically creating employment opportunities.
Agreement with Tunis has also drawn criticism. NGOs claim that hundreds of migrants were arrested in Tunisia and then deported and parked in inhospitable areas on the borders with Algeria and Libya. Women and children were abandoned in the middle of the desert without water, food, or shelter, they claim. In the meantime, EU officials assert that the agreement contains a series of contracts with different actors, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The memorandum of understanding concluded between the EU and Tunisia, in the presence of Ursula von der Leyen, and President Kais Saied. Also, present at the occasion were Italian heads of government Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Mark Rutte. The agreement will have to be approved by EU member states.
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While European countries like Italy wanted to be able to send migrants back to Tunisia who had simply transited through that country, Tunis has made it clear that it does not want to be a country of settlement for irregular migrants as reported by www.trendsnafrica.com a few days ago, alluding that it only covers the return of Tunisian nationals who are in an irregular situation in the EU. The protocol signed also provides for 15 million euros – out of the 105 million – to the voluntary return of some 6,000 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa from Tunisia to their countries of origin. The EU intends to deliver to the Tunisian coastal authorities eight boats for search and rescue operations and drones.
