What outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte described as a “milestone”, the agreement struck with Tunisian President Kais Saied on Sunday night along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Rutte said he was “very pleased” that the deal was now in effect, one month after the first visit to Tunisia by the European trio. Von der Leyen spoke of a “strategic and comprehensive” package. “We delivered,” von der Leyen said.
Rutte hailed the agreement with Tunisia as the “perfect example” of similar agreements with other African countries. Human rights organizations and left-wing parties in the European Parliament condemn the agreement with Said. They argue that Tunisia deports migrants to Libya, where their lives are not safe either. Saeed denied this, calling it “fake news” on Sunday. Von der Leyen confirmed that international and European human rights laws would be respected.
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Marc Biberkorn has been the European Union correspondent for De Volkskrant since 2008. He lives and works in Brussels.
The seven-page “memorandum” signed by the EU and Saied does not differ much from the main lines already laid out during the first visit on June 11. According to EU negotiators, the fact that negotiations on the final text took another month was due to Said’s unpredictability. He emphasized the sovereignty of his country, and repeatedly said that he did not want to become the border guard of Europe.
On Sunday, Said insisted on the swift implementation of the agreements. Prime Minister Rutte said member states would have to agree to the agreement with Tunisia, and said he was “quite confident” that this would happen.
human smugglers
The European Union is ready to lend Tunisia 900 million euros to support the budget. Without this assistance, the state threatens bankruptcy, making it easier for people smugglers to continue their lucrative business. The EU will not provide 900 million euros until Saied reaches an agreement with the International Monetary Fund on an aid program worth 1.8 billion euros. This is expected this fall. But Saied refuses to implement reforms demanded by the International Monetary Fund, including cutting fuel subsidies.
As a temporary funding for this year, the European Union is ready to give Tunisia 150 million euros. The exact terms under which these funds can be transferred are still being debated.
The EU also wants to improve economic cooperation with Tunisia. The country is assisted in producing sustainable energy (hydrogen and electricity from solar energy) for its own use and for export. For example, 300 million euros will be invested in a power cable from Tunisia to Italy. The European Union is also financially helping to build a data cable between Tunisia and Europe.
Moreover, flying between Tunisia and Europe is being expanded (important for tourism) and more young Tunisians can study and work in Europe. The European Union is also investing €65 million in building 80 modern and sustainable schools in Tunisia.
In exchange for this aid, Tunisia must prevent the uncontrolled sailing of migrant boats to Europe. The European Union is giving Tunisia €105 million to improve border control and the return of migrants. President Said stated that his country will not be a haven for immigrants. The European Union wants agreements with the Tunisian coast guard on joint search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. “We must prevent this dangerous and often fatal crossing of boats,” Rutte said. “It is very important that we get a better handle on irregular migration.”
