The European Union (EU) and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding in Tunisia on a "comprehensive strategic partnership" on the fight against irregular immigration, the country's economic development and renewable energy sources.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the agreement aimed at "investing in shared prosperity".
Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte were in Tunisia together with Ursula von der Leyen. This is their second visit, and during the first one a month ago, this partnership was proposed.
"It is another important step in solving the migrant crisis," said the Italian prime minister, who invited Tunisian President Kais Saeed to participate in the upcoming migration summit in Rome.
Rute said that "the agreement will benefit both the EU and the Tunisian people", recalling that the EU is Tunisia's leading trading partner and its leading investor.
On immigration, Rute said the agreement would allow for "better control of irregular immigration."
The agreement includes 105 million euros in aid to fight irregular immigration and 150 million euros in budget support, as Tunisia has a debt of 80 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) and is short on cash.
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