Tunisia's foreign minister has discussed strengthening cooperation on managing migration with the EU Home Affairs Commissioner. The EU and Tunisia signed an agreement in July aimed at preventing migrants from trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.
The foreign minister of Tunisia, Nabil Ammar, and EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson have discussed strengthening cooperation in managing migration, according to a press release from the Tunisian ministry of foreign affairs.
"The way the various points will be implemented in terms of the strengthening of cooperation within the realm of mobility and management of migration, as agreed on in a MoU on a strategic and global partnership between Tunisia and the European Union, signed on 16 July 2023," it said.
A global approach to irregular migration is necessary
Following a phone call between Ammar and Johansson, the Tunisian foreign ministry said that "the two parties favorably welcomed the new dynamics streamlining the partnership relations between Tunisia and Europe, underscoring that their wish is to move forward to strengthen them and enrich them in all sectors."
The call was also an opportunity to tackle the issue of irregular migration and the challenges posed by the increase of this phenomenon, the press release from the ministry said.
Within this context, Ammar reiterated Tunisia's position in support of a global approach to address the root causes of the phenomenon, underscoring the efforts made by Tunisian authorities to protect the borders and to contrast human and migrant trafficking.
Tunisia will continue to assume its responsibilities in this realm, relying on its own resources in cooperation with partner countries, he added.
Raising awareness for legal mobility
The two parties also addressed the issue of how to promote legal mobility and migration toward European countries offering the necessary flexibility in European visa procedures for Tunisian nationals.
Johansson promised to raise awareness among EU countries in order for them to provide the necessary attention to this issue and she reiterated the will of the EU to continue to support and strengthen Tunisian capabilities in terms of border protection and confronting irregular migration.
In particular, Johansson noted the need to strengthen cooperation to fight human trafficking and migrant trafficking networks.