The EU and Tunisia want to work together to limit migration across the Mediterranean. While Conservative MPs welcome the agreement, others find clear words against it.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stood in front of a Tunisian and an EU flag as she explained the declaration of intent in the Presidential Palace in Tunis. A comprehensive package of measures has been decided, which should now be implemented quickly.
The package includes five items. Tunisia is to receive 900 million euros if it meets certain conditions – among other things to boost its badly hit economy and to expand digital infrastructure and renewable energies. There are also plans, for example, to extend the European student exchange program Erasmus to the country.
105 million euros for the fight against illegal migration
The most important point, however, is that 105 million euros have been earmarked for the government in Tunis to take action against irregular migration. According to von der Leyen, the EU wants a partnership to combat smuggling.
“We will also strengthen our coordination on search and rescue operations,” said the Commission President. “And we have agreed that we will work together on border management, returns and addressing root causes in full respect of international law.”
“Integral component” of an asylum reform
Cooperation with countries from which people are fleeing or through which they are fleeing is a crucial building block of the new pact for asylum and migration. The member states are currently negotiating with the European Parliament.
The member of parliament Lena Düpont from the CDU then also welcomed the agreement with Tunisia as an integral part of the reform of the common asylum system: “It is right that we are focusing with new verve on the fight against smuggling, also in cooperation with third countries. That At the same time, we also offer support and incentives for the respective countries to stabilize their own situation.”
“Fighting the causes, not the refugees”
In other parties, however, the agreement meets with clear criticism. The EU closed it just the day reports emerged of the fate of at least 80 migrants. According to their own statements, the Tunisian authorities abandoned them in the desert without water or food.
“Anyone who signs a migration agreement with a country like Tunisia, which drives migrants into the desert to die, is making a mockery of human rights and is expressly guilty of the deaths of even more people fleeing,” says Cornelia Ernst von den left. She calls for the agreement to be withdrawn.
Like her, Erik Marquardt is also annoyed that the European Parliament was not involved. From the Green MEP’s point of view, the declaration of intent is not about improving the situation of the people. Above all, it is about the fact that people can no longer flee from Tunisia to Europe. “And I think that’s devastating. You have to fight the causes of flight and not the refugees.”
Despite all the criticism, the agreement with Tunisia could, according to Brussels, become the blueprint for agreements with other countries in Africa.