Tunisian President Kais Saied has rejected the European Union’s financial support, deeming the amount insufficient and contradictory to a deal signed three months ago.
The European Commission had pledged 127 million euros ($133 million) last month as part of an agreement to address illegal immigration from Africa to Europe.
Saied’s move could jeopardize the “strategic partnership” established in July, focusing on combatting human traffickers and strengthening borders.
“Tunisia rejects what the EU announced, not because of the small amount … but because the proposal conflicts with the memorandum of understanding signed in July,” stated President Saied.
The July agreement committed 1 billion euros in aid to assist Tunisia’s economy, address financial challenges, and tackle the migration crisis.
The recent smaller amount announced by Europe has led to frustration among Tunisian authorities, striving to enhance public finances, and sparked concerns among credit rating agencies about potential government defaults on foreign debts in the coming months.
The disagreement between the two parties has coincided with a surge in the arrival of record numbers of migrants from Tunisia and North Africa to Italy’s island of Lampedusa.
Tunisia recently postponed a visit by a delegation from the European Commission to discuss the details of the migration agreement.
Additionally, last month, Tunisia denied entry to five members of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee for meetings regarding the political situation in Tunisia, asserting that it would not permit interference in its internal affairs.