Tunisia and the European Union (EU) signed a “strategic partnership” deal on Sunday, July 16, 2023, to stem migration. The deal includes measures to combat human trafficking. It also aims to strengthen border control. Additionally, it aims to improve the registration and return of migrants.
The EU pledged €1 billion ($1.12 billion) in aid to Tunisia. This aid is intended to help Tunisia’s battered economy and address the migration crisis. Boat departures from Tunisia to Europe have sharply increased. In the first six months of 2023, over 10,000 people made the crossing. This is a significant increase compared to just over 3,000 in the same period last year.
The EU and Tunisia have been working together to address migration for years. In 2017, they signed a joint declaration on migration and security. The new deal builds on that declaration. The deal establishes a joint task force to combat human trafficking. The task force comprises officials from the EU and Tunisia. It focuses on disrupting the business model of human traffickers.
The deal includes measures to strengthen border control. The EU will provide technical assistance and equipment to enhance Tunisia’s border security. Improving the registration and return of migrants is also part of the deal. The EU will assist Tunisia in setting up a more efficient system for this purpose. While the new deal is a positive step, it is not a complete solution. Other factors such as Tunisia’s economic situation and regional political instability need to be addressed.
The lack of legal migration channels is another challenge. Nonetheless, the deal signifies the commitment of the EU and Tunisia to work together on the migration issue. It serves as a good starting point. Monitoring its implementation in the coming months and years will be crucial.
