Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office announced on Wednesday that Italy will provide Tunisia with a total of €105 million ($111.7 million) in government cash grants and credit facilities.
This financial support is part of Rome’s ongoing efforts to strengthen economic relations with African countries and to mitigate illegal migration to Europe.
Following a meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Meloni emphasized the importance of continuing to enhance cooperation between Italy and Tunisia, particularly in the energy sector.
A spokesperson from Meloni’s office detailed that Italy has offered Tunisia cash grants totalling €50 million under various agreements aimed at supporting projects related to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Additionally, a separate agreement includes a €55 million credit facility designed to assist small and medium-sized Tunisian enterprises.
Meloni also mentioned that Italy is keen to increase efforts to encourage organized migration following an agreement last year that allows approximately 12,000 skilled Tunisian workers to enter Italy over three years.
Meloni stated, “I believe Italy can also do much more.” According to data from the Italian Ministry of Interior, from January to April 17 this year, around 16,000 migrants, including 2,224 from Tunisia, arrived in Italy.
This number is compared to over 34,000 migrants who arrived during the same period last year.
Meloni arrived in Tunisia on her fourth visit within a year, once again focusing on combating illegal immigration as well as on cooperation with the country, according to her delegation.
Upon the arrival of her plane in the morning, Meloni and her accompanying delegation, including Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, headed to Carthage Palace to meet with Tunisian President Kais Saied.
Italian sources indicated before the visit that “cooperation in the field of migration remains a fundamental aspect of the relationship between Italy and Tunisia.”
