The EU is considering a major financial package for the cash-strapped nation amid a growing refugee and migrant crisis. Along with von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were in Tunisia on Sunday for talks with the country’s President Kais Saied. Meloni, who visited Tunisia alone on June 6 on a similar mission, urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other countries to help Tunisia. Von der Leyen said the EU would also expand opportunities for young Tunisians to study, work and train in the EU to help them develop skills that could be used to boost the Tunisian economy. Days before, five African citizens died and many more went missing after three boats carrying refugees and migrants sank off Sfax.

Source: The North Africa Journal June 11, 2023 15:42 UTC