Ursula von der Leyen reports 97% decrease in irregular migrant arrivals in Europe from Tunisia
via Business News4 min read
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that irregular migrant arrivals in Europe from Tunisia have decreased by 97% since 2023. This reduction follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the European Union and Tunisia on strategic partnership in July 2023. Von der Leyen highlighted this development in a letter to the leaders of the 27 EU member states, which was reported by the Italian news agency Adnkronos on June 17, 2026. She specifically noted a 97% decrease in illegal arrivals from Tunisia to Italy, attributing this to enhanced cooperation between Brussels and Tunis. The EU's support for Tunisia is described as multidimensional, covering border management, combating migrant trafficking networks, protecting vulnerable individuals, legal migration, assisted voluntary returns, and sustainable reintegration. Von der Leyen also announced the upcoming delivery of three new search and rescue vessels to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Tunisian Coast Guard. The EU is monitoring the situation regarding international protection and efforts to establish a national registration system for new asylum seekers, considering this a priority. The International Organization for Migration facilitated the voluntary return of 8,853 migrants from Tunisia to their home countries in 2025, and over 2,000 since the beginning of 2026. Overall, EU-funded operations have enabled the assisted voluntary return of more than 35,800 migrants from
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During the Tunisian Association of Capital Investors ATIC annual conference on June 18, 2026, themed "AI and Sustainable Investment," ATIC President Salma Ben Hamida called for the renewal of a tax incentive crucial for financing and restructuring Tunisian SMEs. She emphasized that private equity complements, rather than replaces, bank credit by strengthening companies' equity, which many Tunisian SMEs chronically lack, hindering their access to bank financing. Ben Hamida highlighted that private equity provides strategic support and networking, actively participating in the transformation, development, and value creation of financed companies. In 2025, the private equity ecosystem raised 709 million dinars, bringing total funds under management to 5655 million dinars, with banking groups contributing nearly 78% of resources. Investments totaled 740 million dinars across 223 companies, startups, or SMEs, with 30% allocated to restructurings. The key message from ATIC is the extension of a tax measure introduced in 2019, which facilitates company restructuring through private equity funds and is set to expire on December 31, 2026. Ben Hamida warned that its discontinuation would weaken the sector's intervention capacity, impacting the market's ability to save businesses and preserve jobs. ATIC proposes extending this measure until 2031 or integrating it permanently into the tax system to provide investors with greater visibility. She cited that investments in restructurings in
Maher Ketari, president of the Finance Committee in the Assembly of People's Representatives, argued on June 18, 2026, for an exemption from the wealth tax for Tunisians residing abroad, despite his general opposition to the tax. He highlighted concerns from the Tunisian diaspora regarding Article 88 of the 2026 finance law, which applies to assets in Tunisia regardless of the owner's residence. Ketari emphasized the importance of maintaining strong ties with Tunisians living abroad, viewing it as a major national issue. He believes the expected revenue from taxing the assets of Tunisians abroad would be minimal, stating that a 0.5% or 1% contribution would not significantly benefit public finances and could harm relations with the diaspora. He also noted that international conventions to avoid double taxation already offer protections. Ketari reiterated his personal opposition to the wealth tax, recalling its initial rejection by the Finance Committee and in plenary sessions before being reintroduced by the government. He suggested that such taxation is more appropriate for advanced economies, arguing that a society still in economic development should focus on wealth creation before imposing further taxes.
BreakingThe American and Iranian presidents remotely signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday evening, committing Tehran to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz and, in future negotiations, to dilute its enriched uranium in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. This agreement aims to end the conflict that began on February 28 between the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. The accord, which includes the Lebanese front, was signed by Donald Trump, who was visiting France, and initialed by Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the agreement paves the way for lasting peace and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose mediation was crucial, confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz would be "instantly" reopened and the American blockade of Iranian ports would end "immediately." Following the news, oil prices continued to decline. The head of the Iranian negotiation team, Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared the agreement a "failure" for the United States. Na茂m Kassem, Secretary General of the pro-Tehran Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah, called it a "great victory" for Iran, thanking them for including the Lebanese front. He urged the Lebanese government to cease direct negotiations with Israel. The agreement stipulates that the United States will suspend sanctions on Iranian