Giorgia Meloni’s Visits and Agreements with Tunisia on Migration
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has made multiple visits to Tunisia, including four trips in less than a year, to discuss migration and economic cooperation with Tunisian President Kais Saied.
These discussions have focused on a “new approach” to migration and efforts to combat human traffickers and repatriate African migrants.
Tunisia holds a significant place in Meloni’s foreign policy, with President Saied being identified as her leading African partner in addressing irregular arrivals in Italy.
Some sources indicate a fifth visit to Tunisia by Meloni occurred, and an official list of her international trips also notes five visits to Tunisia.
During her visits, Meloni and Saied signed several agreements focused on boosting economic ties and curbing illegal immigration to Europe.
Italy pledged financial assistance, including
€105 million in state cash and credit lines to support Tunisia’s economy
€50 million for energy efficiency and renewables projects, and a
€55 million credit line for Tunisian SMEs
These efforts are part of Italy’s broader “Mattei Plan” for Africa, a strategy aimed at fostering economic opportunities and preventing migration from Africa to Europe.
The EU has also been involved in efforts to finalize a migration deal with Tunisia, offering more than €1 billion in various areas such as trade, investment, and energy cooperation in exchange for stronger border controls.
However, a significant hurdle in these negotiations has been Tunisia’s repeated opposition to ratifying a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, which is tied to the bulk of the EU’s financial assistance.
