The International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) will manage projects in Tunisia under the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ICMPD told Euractiv in Vienna.
“We hope that new projects will emerge soon following the memorandum, but for the moment we are focusing on the ongoing projects that we have on the ground,” confirmed Donya Smida, ICMPD project manager for the Tunisia, at Euractiv during the ICMPD migration conference. which will take place in Vienna (October 10-11).
The ICMPD is an international organization that works with 20 member states in Europe and for the EU and operates in around 90 countries around the world, supporting the implementation of government policies in the field of migration, for example in Africa , in Eastern Europe, in Central Europe. Asia, Mediterranean, Silk Roads, Western Balkans and Turkey.
According to its website, part of the ICMPD’s funds comes from member states, the European Commission and the UN, with which it also has observer status.
The organization has played an important role in the implementation of a wide range of EU-funded projects and deals with third countries in the field of migration, some of which have been subject to strong political pressure.
ICMPD received funding to help implement parts of the 2016 EU-Turkey deal to contain asylum seekers from Syria, Tamer Kiliç, head of the ICMPD project, told Euractiv. ICMPD for Turkey.
In Turkey, ICMPD works on the social integration of asylum seekers in the private sector and universities, trains the coast guard, facilitates voluntary returns, and manages labor and legal migration projects. Kilic said.
EU-Tunisia Protocol of agreement (MoU) was signed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Tunisian President Kais Saied in mid-July. It presented a comprehensive EU commitment to invest in different projects in Tunisia, for example to implement border management and strengthen infrastructure such as submarine cable projects – in exchange for Tunis’ support for border control. migrants.
Ongoing ICMPD projects in Tunisia
The organization already manages projects in Tunisia, focused on governance, modernization, construction of new infrastructure and professionalization in the field of migration, Smida confirmed to Euractiv.
“We work with Tunisian authorities such as security forces involved in migration management,” said the project manager, adding that ICMPD focuses on training authorities to improve their skills and knowledge in the matter. .
For example, ICMPD is currently implementing the third phase of a project launched in 2015 focused on border management and providing guidelines through training.
“We will open a center in the southwestern town of Naftah (a Tunisian town close to the Algerian borders), in collaboration with the Tunisian Ministry of Finance, to organize training on customs on November 17,” the leader said. of project.
Another center will be opened on November 21 in the northwest of the country, in partnership with the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior.
Another EU-funded project worth 13.5 million euros, launched in January 2023, is called “Academy Building” and is implemented jointly with the German Federal Police, Smida told EURACTIV.
“The project focuses on building schools for the coast guard,” explained the project manager.
While the funds provided for by the EU-Tunisia agreement should arrive in Tunisia before the end of the year, politicians tension between the EU and Tunisia could lead to a delay in implementation.
In the fall of 2023, the Tunisian government postponed some meetings with EU authorities and banned a European Parliament delegation from entering the country.
Tensions increased on October 2 when Saïed said the country would refuse European funds “meant for charity”, referring to a payment linked to previously agreed funds.
The Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood, Olivér Várhelyi, responded publicly to Saied that Tunisia is free to “return” the 60 million euros which have just been transferred – funds which were part of a European program of support for post-Covid-19 recovery.
(Edited by Nathalie Weatherald)