Italy and the European Commission have sought to step up engagement with Tunisia, promising funding if the country undertakes to stem emigration from its territory. The deal also provides for more illegal Tunisians to be repatriated, and for sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisia to be sent back to their countries of origin. “This partnership with Tunisia must be a model for building new relations with our North African neighbours”, Meloni said last week during a visit to Tunis, where she accompanied von der Leyen and Dutch premier Mark Rutte. – ‘Crime scene’ –Human rights groups and charities that rescue migrants attempting the dangerous Mediterranean crossing are up in arms. With fewer than 80,000 asylum applications registered last year, Italy lags behind Germany, France, Spain and Austria.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 23, 2023 10:37 UTC