The European Union and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday in Tunis for a “comprehensive strategic partnership” on combating irregular migration, renewable energy and economic development in the Maghreb country. The agreement includes €105 million in aid to combat illegal immigration and €150 million in budget support as Tunisia is strangled by debt equivalent to 80 percent of its GDP and is short of cash.
This EU “assistance” is conditional on an agreement between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan from the Fund, a file that has been stalled for months.