European Union promises financial aid to Tunisia amid migration crisis

In light of the increase in illegal immigration, the president of Tunisia met and spoke with three European officials, including the head of the European commission and the prime ministers of the Netherlands and Italy.

During the meetings, the head of the European Union Commission proposed strengthening of cooperation with Tunisia in the form of a long-term financial aid program.

According to Tunisia Africa News Agency, Tunisian President Kais Saied met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, as well as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Von der Leyen proposed to Qais Said to strengthen cooperation with Tunisia in the form of a plan that includes a long-term financial aid worth 900 million euros, as well as a 150-million-euro aid that will be immediately injected into Tunisia’s budget. Also, the head of the European Commission proposed a five-point plan to Qais Saied, which includes support for the fight against illegal immigration.

According to Von der Leyen, one of the objectives of the European Union is the fight against illegal immigration. She added that the Union will allocate 100 million euros this year for monitoring Tunisia’s borders and find-and-rescue operations of migrants.

Italy is also trying to persuade the European Union and international donors to provide economic support to Tunisia, especially due to the dramatic rise of illegal immigration from Tunisia to Europe.