Italy to Provide Funding to Tunisia

The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced today, Wednesday, that Italy will provide Tunisia with government cash funding and credit facilitation totaling €105 million ($111.7 million). This is part of Rome's efforts to strengthen economic relations with African countries and reduce illegal migration to Europe. Meloni stated after her meeting with Tunisian President Kais Saied that "energy is one of the sectors that should continue to enhance cooperation between Italy and Tunisia." A spokesperson from Meloni's office mentioned that Rome has offered Tunisia cash funding totaling €50 million as part of several agreements aimed at helping enhance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. He added that there is a separate agreement for credit facilitation of €55 million aimed at supporting small and medium-sized Tunisian enterprises. Meloni also noted that Rome wants to make more effort to encourage organized migration following an agreement made last year that allows about 12,000 skilled Tunisian workers to enter Italy over three years. She added, "I believe Italy can also do a lot."