Meloni visits Tunisia for talks on migration

TUNIS: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with officials in Tunis on Wednesday to discuss what she called a “new approach” to irregular migration and economic cooperation with Tunisia.

The hard-right leader’s visit, the fourth in less than a year to the north African country, came as her government pledged to curb irregular migrant arrivals in Italy.

Meloni met with President Kais Saied, who said ater the meeting Tunisia must not become “a country of transit or setlement” for migrants from other African countries, according to a statement from his office.

In a video address released ater her discussions with Saied, Meloni also said “Tunisia cannot be a country of arrival for migrants” from the rest of Africa.

She vowed to “involve international organisations to work on repatriations” of migrants while insisting on more European investment in African nations.

Ahead of the visit, an Italian official had told AFP that “cooperation on migration remains a central aspect of the relationship between Italy and Tunisia”.

“It remains essential that Tunisian authorities continue their action to combat human trafficking and contain illegal departures,” the official added.

Meloni’s latest visit to Tunisia came as part of her so-called Matei Plan, a programme aiming to posit Italy as a key bridge between Africa and Europe.

She said the fight against irregular migration required development for African countries and investments.

“Italy will continue to try to advance this new approach which it is promoting at a European level,” she said.

But critics say the plan would funnel energy north while exchanging investment in the south for deals aimed at curbing migration.

Three agreements were signed Wednesday: a 50-million-euro ($53-million) aid for energy projects, credit for small- and medium-sized businesses, and a university cooperation agreement.