The Italian government has agreed to allow more Tunisians to enter the country legally. The condition is that they have received an education and are able to work in agriculture or industry. In return, irregular migration from Tunisia must be curbed.
Rome wants to work with Tunis to “reduce illegal immigration and encourage regular immigration,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on a visit to Tunisia on Wednesday. In concrete terms, the number of skilled immigrants who could work in Italy in agriculture and industry could be increased. Tajani did not say whether a formal agreement was being negotiated yet.
Finding “right solutions”.
All he said was that illegal immigration “has been a scourge for Tunisia as well as for Italy”. Both countries would like to find “the right solutions”. Tajani met President Kais Saied in Tunisia. “We must ensure that young Africans can dream of staying in their homeland,” the foreign minister continued. In this context, he called for more investment on the African continent and announced an economic forum – with the aim of “increasing the presence of Italian companies in Tunisia”.
Tunisia as a transit country
In Austria’s neighboring country, a far-right government has been in power since October that wants to stop illegal migration across the Mediterranean. Tunisia, on the other hand, is facing a serious economic crisis. Thousands are moving to Europe to find a better life there. Tunisia is also an important transit point for migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa. From there, many dare to make the dangerous crossing by boat to the Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies about 130 kilometers off the Tunisian coast.
More than 32,000 irregular migrants arrived in Italy from Tunisia last year, according to Italian authorities. About 18,000 of them came directly from Tunisia.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
