Our goal is for the signatures to be signed by the end of June, said the Italian Prime Minister – EU and Tunisia have a common interest in stopping traffickers, said the President of the Commission
After their meeting with the Tunisian president Kais Said in Carthage, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyenthe Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte made joint statements to the press.
In particular, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni referred to the next steps regarding EU cooperation with Tunisia.
“Our goal, until the European Summit which will be organized at the end of June, is to have signed a memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. We are ready to organize an international conference on migration and development, which we discussed with President Sayed. It will be another step in our entire journey,” said Meloni.
At the same time, he thanked the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen “for her tireless activity”, but also the government of Rome, “for its important, diplomatic effort”.
For her part, the president of the European Commission underlined:
“We are united with Tunisia by much more than the geographical location, we are united by history. It is in our common interest to strengthen this relationship and to invest in the stability and prosperity of the country.”
The President of the Commission added that “European Union and Tunisia they have a vested interest in stopping the cynical action of migrant smugglers. We will support Tunisia with one hundred million euros, to guard the maritime borders and search and rescue activities.”
He explained that after the signing of Tunisia’s agreement with the IMF, which he described as “necessary”, the EU intends to support this North African country with a long-term financial aid plan, which may exceed 900 million euros. “As an immediate step, we are ready to make another 150 million euros available,” von der Leyen said.
The Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruttefinally, he underlined that “he agrees with the president of the European Commission that the strengthening of the cooperation partnership with Tunisia must be carried out in full agreement with human rights”.
Source :Skai
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