The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea. Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the European Council and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Tunisia (T)

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

VÁRHELYI, Olivér (HU, EC)

NAVARRO RÍOS, Pascual Ignacio

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, Thank you so much, President. Honourable members. Commissioner. Thank you for the initiative on this debate. A subject which affects partner and neighbour and important neighbour to the European Union and Tunisia would like to cooperate in many areas, particularly sustainable development, economy, energy transition and also immigration and security.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, We need to benefit from our association agreement so that the union can continue supporting Tunisian people under social economic difficulties. The memorandum of understanding, which has recently been signed is a clear signal of this endeavour. Allow me to talk about the aspects related to migration in this particular memorandum to fight irregular immigration, which is originated in Tunisia, and to avoid the tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, As part of this agreement, this memorandum clearly reflects these priorities and contributes to a global approach of immigration. Immigration. We also agree with our Tunisian partners that immigration needs to be tackled within the link of immigration and development and look at economic and social development to bring people closer and to deal with the root causes of irregular immigration.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, So therefore, this memorandum of understanding promotes sustainable development in less favoured areas with especially those areas with high migratory potential, and to support the Tunisian people under vulnerable conditions through vocational training, employment and the private sector in conformity with our global approach on immigration.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, The agreement also takes into account different approach to fight against the trafficking of immigrants. That is, to train the Tunisian police guards to avoid loss of life in the Mediterranean and also to find seasonal support, support to the return of refugees that are in Tunisia and also to support Tunisian nationals, especially those that are in the European Union and through the creation of employment.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU, The memorandum is being put into practice and I leave it up to the Commission. The Commissioner will be explaining the present situation, the Association Agreement, which will give us an opportunity to act, to have a political follow up of the different approaches. This is a meeting which will give us the opportunity to deal with concerns related to the implementation of the priorities as far as the rights of immigrants and refugees are concerned. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Dear Mr. President, honourable Members, it is my pleasure to address you today about the new strategic and comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Tunisia. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed less than two months ago during the joint visit of President von der Leyen, together with the Prime Minister Meloni and Prime Minister Rutte to Tunis.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, It also follows the discussion of the European Council in June that has welcomed the work on this solid partnership package. This is an investment in our shared prosperity, stability and in the future generations. The reasons for it are compelling. The EU and Tunisia are bound by a shared history and geography, and we share strategic interests. In times of geopolitical uncertainties, it is important to deepen cooperation with our strategic partners.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, In this context, we agreed with Tunisia on a comprehensive package of measures that we are now putting into practice swiftly. The Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen our comprehensive cooperation with Tunisia, with a view to intensify further our already existing cooperation for the benefit of both partners and to tackle a number of challenges and seize the opportunities in five areas.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, The first is economic development. Second, investment and trade. Third, Energy. Fourth, People to people contacts. And fifth, migration and mobility. The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding should result in clear objectives and targets for short, medium and long term. We have high expectation that this partnership will deliver tangible results through a closer partnership for the mutual benefit of our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Just to give you a few examples, we will contribute up to €150 million in budget support to macroeconomic stability and accompany reforms in Tunisia. We remain also ready to support Tunisia by mobilising macro financial assistance as soon as the necessary conditions are met.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, We are working with Tunisia to boost investments in key sectors to support the digital and green transitions, job creation and economic perspective, including to the youth and women as part of our economic and investment plan. We agreed to cooperate on energy diversification and energy security in light of Tunisia's enormous potential for renewables.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, We will implement flagship projects such as the Element Electricity Interconnector or the Medusa Digital Highway. We aim to move ahead with the signature of the Civil Civil Aviation Agreement to unlock huge opportunities for tourism and job creation. We will enhance cooperation on education, vocational training, research and innovation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, For instance, by Tunisia's participation in the Erasmus+ or Horizon Europe or the construction of new schools in Tunisia with the European Investment Bank. One of the core objectives of this strategic and comprehensive partnership with Tunisia is to address the migration related challenges in a comprehensive and sustainable way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, The recent trends, including the difficult situation of the migrants stranded at the border regions or the high number of irregular arrivals, illustrate the urgency to redouble our efforts and closely cooperate on the matter. First, we are strengthening our ongoing engagement on protection in close cooperation with IOM, UNHCR and other international organisations and local NGOs to ensure the protection of migrants in vulnerable situations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, For example, we are providing immediate relief, such as the provision of water, first aid, medical aid, emergency shelter hygiene kits, and are addressing the protection of needs of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Also supporting the efforts of the host communities. Second, it is essential to prevent irregular departures that too often end up in tragedies.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, We will strengthen the border protection capacities of Tunisia, including strengthening its coastal surveillance system, the refitting and delivery of patrol vessels, and supporting to land border control in close cooperation with our member States with full respect to human rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Third, we need to redouble our efforts to crack down on criminal networks of smugglers and traffickers on the basis of anti-smuggling operation and partnerships. As announced during the visit of Commissioner Johansson already in April. They are exploiting human despair and we have to break their reckless business model. In the upcoming period, the focus is on swift implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding in cooperation with Tunisia and in line with established rules and procedures.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, It is already under way with regular technical and political level meetings with the Tunisian authorities and several exchanges in the Council and the European Parliament. The respect for human rights and democratic principles is enshrined in the EU Tunisia Association Agreement, which is the overarching legal framework for the bilateral relations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, In addition, the objective is to hold the EU-Tunisia Association Council by the end of the year to tackle many aspects of the bilateral bilateral partnership, including the situation of human rights and fundamental values. It will also be the occasion to endorse the new EU Tunisia strategic priorities that are being prepared in parallel to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding. Thank you for your attention.