President Kais Saied: Tunisia will not accept being a transit point for illegal immigrants

Tunisian President Kais Saied stressed that his country refuses to be a transit point for those wishing to illegally immigrate to European Union countries via the Mediterranean Sea.  

On Thursday, the Tunisian President received the country's Prime Minister Ahmed El-Hachani, who presented to him the results of his participation in the activities of the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

During the meeting, the Tunisian President reiterated his country's firm position on the issue of irregular migration.

He said: "Our country, which is proud of its African affiliation, has provided what it can to these migrants who are backed by human trafficking networks, and cannot accept being a transit point or a settlement."

He stressed that the solution can only be collective, by dismantling the criminal networks behind this unnatural phenomenon and preventing their activity.

The Tunisian president stressed that these migrants are victims of an unfair global economic system.

For years, the Tunisian and Libyan coasts have witnessed a large influx of illegal immigrants wishing to reach the southern coasts of the European Union countries. These operations have resulted in the drowning of thousands, according to statistics from the International Organization for Migration.

Last January, EU leaders in Brussels discussed an agreement with Tunisia aimed at combating migration and controlling smuggling networks. The European proposal includes granting Tunisia long-term financial assistance to finance anti-migration operations, including the purchase of boats, mobile radars, cameras and vehicles, to enhance control of Tunisia’s land and sea borders.