(Security): Tunisia and European Union sign 'Strategic' Deal on Economy and Migration

The European Union and Tunisia signed a "strategic partnership" in Tunis on Sunday, July 16, 2023, focusing on the fight against illegal immigration, but also designed to support the North African country in the face of serious economic difficulties.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the agreement, which will enable Tunisia to "invest in shared prosperity", citing "five pillars", including the all-important question of migration.

Along with Libya, Tunisia is the main point of departure for thousands of migrants crossing the central Mediterranean to Europe.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte accompanied the European leader after the trio's first visit a month ago, during which they proposed this partnership.

The five pillars are "macro-economic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, people-to-people links, migration and mobility", says the Commission in a press release.

The Memorandum of Understanding marks "another important step towards tackling the migration crisis in an integrated way", said a delighted Mrs. Meloni, who has invited Tunisian President Kais Saied to attend a summit on migration in Rome next Sunday.

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