Some 42 million euros will be “rapidly allocated” as part of an agreement signed in July between the EU and Tunisia. This announcement from the European Commission comes as the Italian island of Lampedusa is experiencing a significant influx of migrants.
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The European Commission announced on Friday September 22 that it would begin to allocate “quickly” the funds provided under the agreement concluded in July with Tunisia in order to reduce the arrivals of migrants from this country. This announcement comes a few days after a visit by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the Italian island of Lampedusa, which is experiencing a significant influx of migrants. The manager was committed to accelerating the implementation of this controversial partnership.
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The Commission announced that of the 105 million euros in aid provided by this agreement to combat irregular immigration, some 42 million euros would be “allocated quickly”. Added to this are 24.7 million euros already planned as part of current programs. This aid should be used in part to rehabilitate boats used by the Tunisian coast guard.
The envelope is also intended for cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, both for “protection of migrants” and for operations to return these exiles from Tunisia to their countries of origin. Tunisia is, along with Libya, the main departure point for thousands of people crossing the central Mediterranean towards Europe, arriving in Italy.