Tunisia and EU have signed a €1 billion ($1.124 billion) agreement to stop irregular migration in the North African nation.
During the announcement of the deal in Tunisia, the president of the country expressed strong criticism towards those who offer migrants "sympathy without respect" for their aspirations of achieving fairness in life.
Saied emphasized the need for a more balanced narrative, urging humanitarian organizations to redirect their efforts towards combating the criminal networks responsible for the dangerous migration business, rather than spreading misinformation about the North African country. He stressed that people worldwide share a common desire for coexistence, equitable futures, and genuine respect, rather than mere sympathy.
The deal, which reportedly includes considerable steps to stop lethal illegal migration across the Mediterranean, was praised by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission.
According to her, it is an investment in shared prosperity and stability.
On Sunday, von der Leyen, along with the prime ministers of Italy and the Netherlands – Giorgia Meloni and Mark Rutte – traveled to Tunisia to sign a memorandum of understanding on the €1 billion package that had been agreed upon in June.
The signing of the agreement took place amidst a backdrop of increased migration activity, with thousands of undocumented individuals flocking to the Tunisian coastal city of Sfax in recent months. These individuals have sought to embark on perilous journeys to Europe aboard boats operated by human traffickers, resulting in an unprecedented migration crisis for Tunisia.