The European Commission will provide €675 million to Tunisia this year as part of its new deal to support the North African country’s economy, intercontinental projects and efforts to curb migration, EURACTIV has learned from a senior Commission official.
The €675 million will come from the EU budget under the European Sustainable Development Fund and includes €150 million of direct budget support.
Of the €675 million, the EU is allocating around €105 million for migration management, including the fight against “irregular departures”, the return of foreigners in Tunisia to their countries of origin, returns of Tunisians without permission to remain currently staying in the EU, and support for the Tunisian coastguard with new equipment for search and rescue activities.
“We are boosting the delivery of the relevant assets and look forward as of next week to enhance cooperation in the area of returns,” the EU official said.
However, the memorandum does not feature any references to the €900 million that the EU has promised to provide to Tunisia if President Saied’s government accepts a loan program, worth $1.5 billion, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“We are creating opportunities for young people in particular, we will be opening a Tunisia window in the Erasmus + program,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In practice, this will consist of 300 places for Tunisians coming into Belgium, France and Germany in 2023 and “maybe” another 700 in 2024 to the same countries, the Commission senior official added.
