British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s approach to tackling irregular immigration during his visit to Rome. During the visit, they agreed to jointly fund a project to assist migrants in Tunisia to return to their home countries.
Both leaders held formal talks at Meloni’s office and Sunak, the leader of the British Conservative Party, also spoke at a gathering of her far-right party, “Brothers of Italy.”
Sunak and Meloni have pledged to stop the flow of migrant boats reaching the shores of their respective countries. Both have faced significant criticism for their policies, from Sunak’s plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to Meloni’s efforts to limit the activities of charitable rescue ships in the Mediterranean.
During their meeting, Sunak and Meloni agreed to finance a project aimed at aiding the repatriation of migrants in Tunisia, a common departure point for many migrants trying to reach Europe. The British Prime Minister’s office stated that they “committed to participating in the financing of a project to enhance and assist the voluntary return of migrants from Tunisia to their home countries.”
Meloni’s office noted that this initiative aligns with existing United Nations projects but did not provide further details.
Sunak and Meloni have developed a good relationship since assuming their positions in October 2022.
In Tunisia, the country has become a major point of departure for migrants traveling to Europe, particularly since the end of 2020. Political instability, youth unemployment, rising inflation, and escalating food prices are driving an increasing number of Tunisians to migrate to Europe. The country is also a transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. An estimated 21,000 Sub-Saharans are in Tunisia, including those who have gone back to their countries through voluntary repatriations. However, the conditions in Tunisia and the challenges faced by migrants there have led to a rise in the number of people attempting dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.
The Italian government, particularly under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, has focused on curbing illegal immigration. Italy’s approach includes strengthening border controls and collaborating with countries like Tunisia to manage migration flows. Italy has pledged to increase the number of regular immigrants from Tunisia, particularly in fields like agriculture and industry, while reducing ‘irregular immigration’. The Italian government is also keen on implementing training programs for potential migrants in Tunisia, aligning them with the needs of the Italian labor market. This approach is aimed at addressing migration at its roots, considering it not only a security problem but also a socio-economic one.
In the UK, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced criticism for his plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. The UK, like Italy, is dealing with the challenge of managing the influx of migrants and balancing humanitarian obligations with national security and immigration control. The cooperation between the UK and Italy, as well as their joint project with Tunisia, reflects a shared concern over illegal immigration and a commitment to finding collaborative solutions.
