German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock joined a growing chorus of critics of the European Union’s new migration deal with Tunisia, saying human rights and procedural faults ruled it out as a blueprint for the future.
Her letter to the EU executive European Commission highlights the EU’s inner conflict between those pursuing ever-tougher policies to stop illegal immigration and others who emphasize humanitarian considerations and labor market gaps.
Italy, the Netherlands and EU institutions in July signed the agreement with Tunisia, promising aid to Tunis in exchange for President Kais Saied cracking down on people smugglers and keeping a tighter lid on sea departures.
Italy, where anti-immigration Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is locked in an uphill battle to keep her electoral promises to reduce arrivals by sea of refugees and migrants from Africa, praised the “true partnership.”
But in her letter dated Aug. 2, Baerbock expressed “incomprehension” at what she said were insufficient consultations with other countries in the 27-nation bloc.
“Democracy, human rights and the rule of law must guide us in our cooperation – something that was not given suitable consideration, in the agreement with Tunisia,” she wrote.
“The MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Tunisia cannot become a template for further agreements,” she added.
Source: reuters.com
