European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated today, Sunday, that the agreement reached between the European Union and Tunisia could serve as a model for other countries, as the European bloc struggles to stop the unauthorized flow of migrants across the Mediterranean Sea. Von der Leyen said at a conference in Rome: "We want our agreement with Tunisia to be a model for the future for establishing partnerships with other countries in the region."
She added: "The EU must provide a legal avenue for receiving migrants instead of risking their lives in perilous sea crossings." The new strategic partnerships will include economic development, trade, and investment, with bilateral advantages in areas such as climate and renewable energy. Von der Leyen pointed to the partnerships the EU has established with Egypt and Morocco in the hydrogen sector, stating: "The Mediterranean region has tremendous natural resources, such as sun, wind, and abundant landscapes. You have the potential and ambition to be global energy powers in a world free of harmful emissions."
Last week, the EU and Tunisia signed a "strategic partnership" agreement that includes cracking down on human traffickers and tightening border controls.
