Meloni makes his fourth visit to Tunis in a year

This morning, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to visit Tunis before heading to Brussels for the meeting of the Extraordinary European Council. This will mark his fourth visit to Tunisia in less than a year, with the first being part of the Mattei Plan. Italian sources highlight Rome’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia, a nation with historical ties and an important role in the stability of the Mediterranean and North Africa. Italy is actively promoting positive EU-Tunisia relations, as evidenced by the Memorandum signed on July 16, 2023.

Accompanying the Prime Minister on this visit are Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, and Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli. The visit is expected to facilitate dialogue with Tunisian President Kai Saied on key areas of cooperation such as the Mattei Plan implementation, migration cooperation, energy partnerships, and economic collaboration. Migration cooperation remains a vital aspect of the relationship, with strong support at both bilateral and EU levels for efforts on both sides to combat smuggling and trafficking.

Italy is also working towards legal mobility for work purposes, with a Memorandum signed on October 20, 2023 being the first of its kind in Tunisia. The Mattei Plan designates Tunisia as a priority country, and the upcoming visit will explore various areas of cooperation between the two nations. Three instruments will be signed during the visit, including agreements on support for the Tunisian state budget, credit lines for small and medium-sized businesses, and cooperation in the field of university research.

In the economic sphere, the Italy-Tunisia partnership is significant, with Italy being the top supplier and second-largest market for Tunisia. Around 900 Italian companies are active in the country, and strategic projects such as the ELMED submarine electric cable are paving the way for further investments in renewable energy. Italy’s commitment to supporting Tunisia and strengthening bilateral ties is evident through these ongoing efforts and collaborations.