Before a visit to Tunisia by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, President Kais Saied has declared that he rejects foreign interference in mitigating the effects of migration, highlighting the full sovereignty of the North African country. He further stressed that Tunisia "will never be a point of transit nor a land of settlement" for migrants.
Tunisian President Kais Saied told a meeting of his National Security Council that "anyone wishing to establish friendly relations with Tunisia is welcome, but those attempting to impose a certain safeguard have the wrong address."
"We deal with friends and brothers in the full respect of our sovereignty," he said in the video, which was published by his office on April 16.
"Tunisia belongs to the Tunisians, it is not on sale nor for rent, nor in favour of any policy imposed from abroad," Saied added, stressing that this applies especially to the issue of irregular migration.
His words came just before a visit to Tunisia by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is seeking a 100-million euro deal with the North African nation to stem migration.
Migration a security issue for Saied
Saied continued to stress that Tunisia is indulgent and tolerant towards irregular migrants but directly opposes plans promoted to turn his country into a point of settlement or transit for sub-Saharan migrants.
He stressed that "those who have been trying since 2017 to turn Tunisia into a place of settlement for migrants, pocketing millions in foreign currencies, are constantly plotting from abroad against the country's security."
"We will not accept the presence of outlaws on our territory and Tunisia will not be their victim", he added.