Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced today that she will travel to Tunisia at the beginning of next week with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Meloni commented in a press conference, following a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Rome, expressing confidence in reaching an agreement between the IMF and Tunisia. She stated, "I believe that the trip on Sunday could facilitate reaching an agreement."
She added, "Destabilization in Tunisia would have serious repercussions on the stability of all of North Africa... and these repercussions would affect us as well. It is clear to us that addressing the current situation in Tunisia with a practical mindset is a priority."
The visit will see Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte join Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tunis. Public discontent over asylum seekers in the Netherlands is one of the major internal political issues for Rutte.
This joint visit follows a meeting between Meloni and President Kais Saied in Tunisia on Tuesday, aiming to make progress towards an agreement between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund for a loan package. Talks between Tunisia and the IMF have stalled over a $1.9 billion loan for months, primarily due to President Kais Saied's refusal to commit to key reform conditions for receiving the funds.
Europe is seriously concerned about the possibility of Tunisia facing a comprehensive financial crisis that could trigger a new wave of migrants crossing the Mediterranean in search of better lives in Europe. The latest data from the United Nations shows that 26,555 out of 51,215 migrants who arrived in Italy by boat this year have set sail from Tunisia, compared to 3,658 during the same period last year.
