Summary:

On 3 October 2024, the Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ben Ayed participated in the G7 meeting of interior ministers in Naples, Italy that was organized by the Italian government.  

Italy also invited Libya and Algeria in addition to other regional organizations as it continues to take a leadership role in addressing the irregular migration issue.  

In the meetings, Mohamed Ben Ayed reiterated Tunisia’s openness to bilateral and multilateral cooperation as well as its involvement. However, he stressed Tunisia’s refusal in principle to be a transit platform or a place of temporary residence for irregular migrants. 

Tunisia had previously taken part in the annual G7 Summit in June upon invitation from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. 

Meanwhile, the Banking and Finance Council signed on 2 October 2024 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The MoU outlines supporting cooperation in the field of boosting investments allocated to the agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture sectors in line with the recommendations of the January 18 working session stressing the promotion of the green economy in Tunisia. 

Outlook: 

Tunisia’s inclusion in the G7 meetings is further demonstration of the Italian agenda in the Mediterranean, which includes close cooperation and capacity-building with North African partners. Italy is continuing to capitalize on Tunisia’s need for financing and economic cooperation to push Tunisia toward deeper and more active cooperation on migration.  

The G7 was another opportunity for Tunisian diplomats to openly state that Tunisia is unwilling to settle migrants, while affirming interest in continuing to benefit from various other forms of cooperation with European partners.  

Italian financial support in various forms has allowed President Kais Saied’s administration to contain, if not solve, a range of economic issues. However, this cooperation has continued to garner criticism as it pertains to the treatment of migrants in Tunisia. 

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