The agreement was signed in Tunis by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Tunisian President Kais Saied.
“More than ever, we need effective cooperation,” von der Leyen said in a statement. She gave examples of efforts against “networks of smugglers and human traffickers” and “search and rescue operations”.
Tunisia and Libya are countries of departure for the vast majority of migrants who make the risky journey across the Mediterranean every year. Earlier, the EU concluded an agreement with Libya that the Libyan coast guard takes over responsibility for patrolling the Mediterranean in exchange for financial support from the EU.
Tunisia most common departure country
Reuters reports that over 75,000 migrants who arrived by boat across the Mediterranean have disembarked in Italy this year compared to just under 32,000 in the same period last year. Over half of the boats this year are said to have come from Tunisia. In recent months, thousands of African migrants have gathered in the Tunisian port city of Sfax to make their way to Europe. At the same time, Tunisian President Kais Saied has launched a fierce attack on migrants from south of the Sahara, and there are many reports of how they are now being discriminated against in the country.
Ursula von der Leyen visited Tunisia in June together with the prime ministers of Italy and the Netherlands. The purpose of the trip was to try to help Tunisia financially and also to reduce the flow of migrants coming via Tunisia to Europe.
Afterward, von der Leyen said that the EU is ready to offer Tunisia an aid package that includes up to 900 million euros in financial support.