Foreign countries 42 million euros
“A trifle” – Tunisia again questions the EU migration agreement
From: 9:44 am | Reading time: 2 minutes
Kais Saied, here speaking in 2020
Source: AP/Fethi Belaid
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Setback for the European Union in the fight against illegal migration: Tunisia initially rejects the announced aid of one million dollars. President Kais Saied said his country is ready to cooperate, but will not accept “favors” if they are “disrespectful”.
Clear words from Tunisia: President Kais Saied, on behalf of his country, rejected the millions planned by the EU in aid to his country as “alms”. Tunisia is willing to cooperate, but will not accept a “favor” “if it is disrespectful,” Said said on Monday. Consequently, Tunisia rejects “what has been announced by the EU in recent days”.
The migration agreement between the EU and Tunisia, signed in July, aims to reduce the number of refugees arriving in Europe from Africa. Tunisia, along with Libya, is the main departure point for refugees seeking to reach the EU via the Mediterranean.
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At the end of September, Brussels announced that it intended to “quickly” begin disbursing the funds provided for in the agreement. Therefore, of the 105 million euros allocated to combating illegal immigration, around 42 million euros must be allocated promptly. Furthermore, there are 24.7 million euros already allocated to ongoing programs.
Economic reforms required
The agreement was preceded by weeks of discussions and Europe’s commitment to support Tunisia with a total of one billion euros. Saied has now emphasized that he was not only dissatisfied with the agreement financially, but also in terms of its content. The rejection of the money “is not due to the ridiculous amount”, but because the European Commission’s proposal does not correspond to the agreement signed in Tunis and “the spirit” of the migration summit in Rome. Furthermore, the proposal even “contradicts” the agreement signed in July, Saied continued.
Payments are largely linked to economic reforms. However, the cut, announced in mid-September, has frustrated the Tunisian government, which is struggling to repair its finances, and has left ratings agencies concerned that Tunisia will not be able to pay off its foreign debt in the coming months.
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According to the European Commission, the aid will be used for the repair of Tunisian coast guard boats, as well as for cooperation with international organizations to “protect migrants” and the return of Tunisian migrants to their countries of origin. The program also provides direct budget support of 150 million euros to Tunisia in economic difficulties this year.
Last week, President Said postponed a planned visit by a European Commission delegation to implement the migration agreement reached in July. Interior Minister Kamel Feki, however, rejected any “disagreement” with the EU in this context.
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