French and German interior ministers in Tunisia to discuss immigration

The French and German interior ministers are expected in Tunisia on Sunday and Monday. On the European side, it will mainly be a question of immigration. The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean has risen sharply since the beginning of the year. On the Tunisian side, we will want to convince its hosts to put their hands in the wallet to overcome the serious economic crisis.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin is visiting Tunisia with his German counterpart to discuss immigration with the Tunis authorities. (Illustrative image) AFP - NICOLAS PETIT

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Tunis, Mathieu Galtier

What can the French and German interior ministers promise Tunisia? This is the question of the next two days as Gérald Darmanin and Nancy Faeser visit the country. Last week, European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen, accompanied by the head of the Italian government and the Dutch prime minister, pledged more than one billion euros.

>> Read also: Tunisia: the EU proposes a "strengthened partnership" conditional, in part, to an agreement with the IMF

This time, it will be mainly about cooperation on migration. On the sidelines of their official meetings on Monday with Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed and his Minister of the Interior, the two Europeans will make visits on this theme. Gérald Darmanin will visit the premises of the French Office for Immigration and Integration in Tunis. The Office manages the settlement of foreigners in France.

The number of illegal migrants arriving in Italy has increased by more than 140% since the beginning of the year. Whether Tunisian or sub-Saharan, the majority of them left the Tunisian coast. Gerald Darmanin and Nancy Faeser should therefore ask the Tunisian authorities to curb the departure of boats. But Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed warned this week that Tunisia will never be the guardian of Europe's borders.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Share:

Read on on the same topics:

  • Tunisia
  • France
  • Germany
  • International migration
  • Gerald Darmanin
  • Kaïs Saïed