"Tunisia Rejects Border Control for Europe in Migration Crisis Talks, Receives IMF Assistance as Economy Deteriorates"

"Tunisia Refuses to Serve as a Border Police for Europe in Migration Crisis Talks"

European leaders are holding discussions in Tunisia to seek solutions to the increasing migration crisis. Ahead of the talks, President Saied stated that his country would not become Europe's border police.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Italy, have traveled to Tunisia to discuss the migration problem with President Kais Saied in Tunis. In recent months, the number of people migrating from Tunisia to the EU has increased sharply. Italy is the primary destination for most migrants on their way from Tunisia to Europe. According to official figures from the Rome Ministry of the Interior, more than 53,800 migrants have arrived in Italy by boat since the start of the year. In the same period last year, there were around 21,700 migrants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), most of the migrants registered in Italy came from Tunisia.

"Tunisia to Receive IMF Assistance as Economy Nears Collapse"

Meloni proposed paying countries like Tunisia, to prevent boats of migrants from leaving for Italy and therefore Europe. In 2016, the EU reached a similar agreement with Turkey, which resulted in a significant drop in refugees entering Europe. At today's meeting in Tunis, according to Meloni, initiatives will be presented to improve security in the country and help Tunisia receive assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Saied announced tougher measures against migrants in February, accusing them of bringing violence and crime to the country. Since then, hostility and racist attacks have increased significantly. Many people, including sub-Saharan migrants, are eager to flee to Europe as soon as possible. In addition to migrants from sub-Saharan countries, an increasing number of Tunisians from the coast are crossing over to Italy. Many find that they have no prospects left in Tunisia, given the worsening economic crisis and high unemployment.

"Closer Cooperation Planned for Energy Matters in Tunisia Meeting"

At the meeting in Tunis, attended by von der Leyen, Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, there will also be discussions on closer collaboration in the fields of trade and energy. The EU wants to become more independent of Russia in energy supplies.