Tunisia signs deal with EU on border-policing

BY ABBAS MUSA KANEMPRESS

17TH JULY, 2023

The European Union has signed a partnership deal with Tunisia, in curbing trafficking of persons.

Announcing the deal in Tunis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised increased cooperation on border management and search and rescue operations with Tunisia’s President Kaïs Saïed.

Tunisia has become the main departure route for migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.

President Saïed had in 2021 dissolved parliament and re-written the constitution.

Black Africans in Tunisia had in recent months experienced racist violence, after controversial comments from President Saïed, claiming there was a conspiracy to change Tunisian demographics.

Members of the European parliament called for the deal to be conditional on respect for democracy and the rule of law in Tunisia.

Italy’s far-right Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni had said it was an crucial step towards creating a true partnership in tackling migration crisis.