Italy demands implementation of migration MoU inked with Tunisia

Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has demanded the full implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last July between the European Commission and Tunisia to better manage the flow of Tunisian migrants to Italy.

In a briefing to the Italian parliament, Meloni said that her country would support the MoU’s full implementation and the European Commission plan composed of ten points during the two-day Council of Europe meeting.

Several obstacles hinder the implementation of the deal with Tunisia, which is considered a major departure point for migration flows to the nearby Italian islands. There is a dispute about some matters, including financial support.

The MoU proposed more than 1 billion euros for the stumbling Tunisian economy, public finance, and the navy guards.

Meanwhile, Tunisian officials slammed Brussels for being slow in implementing its financial obligations.

The Tunisian National Guard announced on Tuesday arresting 2,663 illegal migrants in one week and 56 suspected human smugglers.

The National Guard units said that 432 migrants were captured at sea and 2,231 migrants on the borders.

Moreover, two bodies were removed, and 44 others were rescued on their way to an Italian island.

About one month ago, Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal Feki said that roughly 100,000 migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa countries are now in the country, including 87,000 who arrived illegally to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

The negotiations between Tunisia and the European Union focus on the efforts to fight illegal migration but no final deal was reached despite signing the MoU in mid-July.