EU to start releasing money to Tunisia under migration pact

Brussels: The European Union is to start releasing money to Tunisia under a pact aimed at stemming irregular migration from the country, the European Commission has said.

A first payment of 127 million euros ($135m) will be disbursed “in the coming days”, commission spokesperson Ana Pisonero said.

Pisonero added that, of the 127 million euros to be “swiftly” disbursed, 42 million euros ($44.7m) came under the migration aspect of the July deal. The rest was for previously agreed programmes, with 60 million euros ($63.9m) to help Tunisia with its budget.

Tunisia and the EU in July reached a “strategic partnership” deal to fight irregular migration in return for financial support during a sharp increase in boats leaving the North African nation for Europe.

Under the agreement signed by commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Tunisia will get 105 million euros ($112m) to curb irregular migration, 150 million euros ($160m) in budgetary support and 900 million euros ($959m) in long-term aid.

Von der Leyen said at the time of the signature that the deal could serve as a model for agreements with other countries, as the EU struggles to stem unauthorised flows of refugees and migrants across the Mediterranean.

Tunisia is one of the main launching points for boats carrying refugees and migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean for Europe, with most heading for Italy, in particular its island of Lampedusa.

EU lawmakers, the bloc’s ombudsman and migrant assistance charities have questioned whether the deal with Tunisia, strongly supported by Italy’s far-right government, meets European rights standards.