from Erasmus to eco-transition, here is the 5-point pact that won the resistance of Saïed-Corriere.it

A strong package between the EU and Tunisia. This is how the president of the European Commission defined it Ursula von der Leyen in his speech at the end of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Tunis. A mutually beneficial partnership had been defined by the European Council in the conclusions of 30 June. An agreement based on five pillars: macroeconomic stability, trade And investmentstransition togreen energy, interpersonal contacts And migration.

And it’s not a coincidence if the migration — which is the most interesting aspect to the EU and Italy — placed at the bottom of the list. Tunisian president Kas Saed had been very clear last June 11, on the occasion of the previous visit of the TeamEurope also then formed by President von der Leyen with the two Italian and Dutch premiers Giorgia Meloni and Mark Rutte. Before the meeting he had clearly stated that the Tunisia not be a border guard for other countries. It took a month of negotiations and a second mission by von der Leyen, Meloni and Rutte to arrive at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

The first pillar listed by the president von der Leyen that of interpersonal connections. The EU will open a window in the program to Tunisians Erasmus+, worth 10 million euros, to boost student exchange. It will then be launched there Talent Partnerships to offer young Tunisians the opportunity to study, work or train in the EU. In addition, €65 million will go to 80 schools to prepare for the digital and green transition.

This is the last pillar mentioned by the president of the EU Commission but the one on which the greatest interest is concentrated due to the rapidly growing flows. The EU makes available 105 million euros. We need effective cooperation more than ever, admitted von der Leyen. The EU will work with the Tunisia to an operational partnership against i human traffickers and coordination on operations will be increased search and rescue and of repatriation in full compliance with international law, stressed the president. Saed at the center of controversy for non-compliance with human rights towards i displaced migrants on its territory. The EU then aims to facilitate the legal migration.

The EU has pledged 900 million euros macro-financial assistancewhich is linked to the 1.9 billion euro plan between Tunisia and the IMF, which includes a commitment to introduce a number of reforms. In the meantime Brussels makes 150 million available to the Tunisian government as immediate support to the budget.

The EU is already the largest foreign investor And business partner from the Tunisia. An investment forum will be organized in the autumn, bringing together investors and international financial institutions. A comprehensive air transport agreement to help tourism will be examined. The Medusa submarine cable for the transmission of data, which from 2025 will connect Tunisia with the EU, will receive 150 million. Investments in water management and sustainable agriculture will be generated.

already in the pipeline Elmed submarine power cable, linking Tunisia to Italy, in which the EU is investing over 300 million. It will also be concluded a strategic partnership on energy.

The Political Diary newsletter

If you want to stay updated on political news, subscribe to the newsletter “Political Diary”. It is dedicated to Corriere della Sera subscribers and arrives twice a week at 12. Just click here.