Is the migration agreement between Tunisia and the EU about to collapse? After an EU delegation was refused entry into the North African country a few weeks ago, President Saied now rejects EU funds as “alms”.
Tunisia has rejected millions of euros in financial aid announced by the European Commission to help the country combat irregular migration and stabilize its budget. Tunisia “does not accept anything resembling grace or alms,” said President Kais Saied in a meeting with Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar.
Tunisia rejects what the European Union announced in recent days,” Saied said on Facebook, according to a statement from the presidential office. “Not because of the small amount,” but because the proposal contradicts the declaration of intent previously signed between Tunisia and the EU. What exactly Tunis sees as a contradiction has not been stated.
According to the news website “Politico”, government representatives in Tunis expressed anger at EU MPs who criticized the setbacks regarding democracy in Tunisia. According to critics, Saied governs the country in an increasingly authoritarian style.
127 million euros for the economy and migration
The European Commission announced a week ago that it would pay Tunisia around 127 million euros to reduce migration across the country and stimulate the weakened economy. Around 67 million euros of this amount will be made available under a controversial migration agreement. There is also 60 million euros in budget support so that the country can recover from the Corona crisis.
Tunisia is one of the main transit countries for refugees from Africa heading to Europe. Saied’s statements raise doubts about whether the controversial migration agreement between Brussels and Tunis will continue to exist.
Questions about the migration agreement
As part of a corresponding July declaration of intent, Tunisia will receive financial aid of up to 900 million euros and, in return, will take stronger measures against smugglers and illegal crossings. The European Commission wants to ensure that fewer smuggling boats reach Italy through Tunisia.
Doubts also arose about the agreement when Tunisia refused entry to a European Parliament delegation in mid-September. This behavior was “unprecedented” since the revolution in Tunisia in 2011, the delegation later said. There was no justification for the step by Tunisia.
Last week, Saied postponed the planned visit of a European Commission delegation to Tunisia. The details of the migration agreement should have been discussed at the meeting.
Thousands of migrants from Tunisia to Lampedusa
In recent months, thousands of undocumented people from Africa have come to the Tunisian city of Sfax to reach Europe by boat.
On the Italian island of Lampedusa alone, hundreds of people arrive every day in overcrowded boats for weeks. The Mediterranean island is just around 140 kilometers east of the Tunisian coast.