The arrival of the two ministers followed those of EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who met with Tunisia’s leader Kais Saied one week ago. European leaders are alarmed by the increasing number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, mainly through Tunisia. Italy, in the main, is very concerned about waves of illegal migrants including Tunisians departing from the coasts of the North African country for Europe. President Saied last week said Tunisia will not allow itself to become a border control agent for other nations. Saied several times repeated that the bailout package will not be accepted under vulnerable conditions.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 19, 2023 12:47 UTC