EU, Tunisia sign 'strategic' deal on migration, economy
Visit our website:
http://www.france24.com
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English
Follow us on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/France24_en
Transcript
00:00 Under the watchful eye of the EU Commissioner, the President of Tunisia and the Prime Ministers
00:04 of Italy and the Netherlands, officials from the European Union and Tunisia signed a strategic
00:09 partnership agreement.
00:11 In essence, Tunisia will receive economic aid and cash, which is much needed with its
00:16 struggling economy's debt at around 80% of GDP.
00:20 And in exchange, Tunis will provide stronger border controls against illegal immigration.
00:26 We need to crack down on criminal networks of smugglers and traffickers.
00:31 They are exploiting human despair and we have to break their reckless business model.
00:39 So we will work with Tunisia on an anti-smuggling operational partnership.
00:45 Tunisia has been under pressure over its treatment of migrants, with an increase in racially
00:49 motivated attacks.
00:51 This comes as the number of people arriving from sub-Saharan Africa and seeking to make
00:55 the perilous Mediterranean crossing to Europe has increased.
01:00 Tunisia's President vowed, though, that his nation would not become a border guard for
01:04 Europe.
01:07 This pact should be accompanied soon by a set of binding agreements.
01:11 We are in utmost need for a collective agreement about inhumane migration and about the displacements
01:17 that are masterminded by fear.
01:19 In addition to the 105 million euros to combat illegal immigration, the Commission said it
01:25 would fund green and education initiatives.
01:28 And it would provide 150 million for budget support, as well as a long-term loan of 900
01:34 million euros.
01:35 But that loan is contingent on economic reforms and on the approval of another two billion
01:42 dollar IMF loan.