Giuseppe Perrone rejects any 'delegation' of irregular migration on behalf of Europe
via Business News4 min read
On May 7, 2026, Giuseppe Perrone, the European Union Ambassador to Tunis, stated that cooperation between Tunisia and the EU is a "long-term partnership" based on a "common vision," extending beyond technical or financial aspects. He emphasized a shared interest in combating human trafficking and irregular migration networks. Perrone clarified that European support primarily focuses on assisting organizations protecting migrants and refugees, and promoting legal and regulated migration. He affirmed that "migration is a positive phenomenon" when it occurs within a legal framework, explicitly rejecting the idea of delegating irregular migration management to third countries on behalf of Europe. This statement is significant given the current Tunisian context, marked by increasing criminalization of migrant-support associations and a political discourse centered on a "demographic conspiracy" theory. Perrone also highlighted that the partnership between Tunisia and the EU, encompassing economic, cultural, and societal dimensions, transcends successive governments. These declarations were made during the launch of a new European digital platform mapping 87 ongoing EU-funded projects in Tunisia, with a total portfolio estimated at 1.35 billion euros. He also noted the substantial European economic presence in Tunisia, with approximately 3,500 companies providing nearly 481,000 jobs.
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