European Internal Affairs Commissioner
Ylva Johansson has said the visit Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni
is paying to Tunisia on Tuesday is "crucial".
Tunisia is in the midst of a major financial crisis and the
unstable situation in the North African country has been a major
factor in a huge increase in the number of migrants coming to
Italy from across the Mediterranean this year.
Meloni reportedly hopes the visit, in which she will meet
President Kais Saied, can lead to a breakthrough in stalled
talks between Tunis and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on
a 1.9.billion-dollar loan to ease the crisis.
"We must increase cooperation with Tunisia, which is a key
partner," Johansson told reporters.
"The number of (migrant-boat) departures is not sustainable and
Giorgia Meloni's visit today is crucial because Italy plays a
constructive role in our relations with Tunis.
"The Commission and Rome are allied in increasing cooperation
with this country.
"After my (recent) mission we have seen a significant fall in
departures from Tunisia but it not certain that this will last".
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