Tunisia and Spain commemorate 30 years of Euro-Mediterranean co-operation on security and immigration

Spain and Tunisia reaffirm their relations on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the European Union's Association Agreement with the Tunisian country on security and immigration, through the visit of the Tunisian Foreign Minister, Mohamed Ali Nafti, first to the Ministry's headquarters in the Palacio de Viana, to meet with his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares; and hours later at the Casa Árabe where he was received by the director of the institution, Miguel José Moro Aguilar.

The Spanish minister highlighted Tunisia's key role in the European Union's southern neighbourhood and its importance in migration matters. Albares also urged the North African country's support to reinforce the work within the framework of the new Spain-Tunisia Strategy 2025-2028. Along the same lines, Moro highlighted the ‘exceptional effort made by Tunisia to maintain a migration management system that respects human dignity’. 

In response to questions from the media present, the minister pointed out that Spain and Tunisia have many common interests that favour the close collaboration in economic, tourist, commercial, cultural, social, geopolitical and security matters that exists between the two countries. 

Spain is Tunisia's fourth largest trading partner. According to the director of the Tourism Office in Madrid, Leila Tgaya, the flow of tourists is increasing by more than 50% annually and large Spanish hotel chains (Iberostar, Vincci, Barceló) continue to invest in the country. Promotional campaigns are being launched to attract more Spanish tourists. 

With regard to women's rights, Nafti pointed out that the country is making great progress. ‘We have to fight for talented women to have a place in business leadership positions’. 

Nafti alluded to the historic cultural relationship that exists between Tunisia and Spain, highlighting the musical legacy, such as Malouf music, with Andalusian roots, which has been preserved within Tunisian culture. 

In response to questions from the media present, Ali Nafti said he was unaware of reports of the mistreatment of migrants on the Libyan border, and stated that his nation ‘cannot be a destination’ for migrants ‘without a future’ who arrive, for the most part, via the country's southern border with Europe.

‘We welcome all those who come to work, to study, or as tourists, but Tunisia cannot be a place for those without any opportunities, without prospects,’ Ali Nafti. 

Nafti has also backed the policies taken by his government to handle the migration crisis. A problem that has worsened due to Algeria's decision not to accept immigrants who cross its borders. 

The minister denied being aware of the origin of the report recently presented by the Left group of the European Parliament, which relates the North African country with torture and abuse of officials responsible for ensuring that the migration agreements signed 30 years ago between Europe and Tunisia are complied with. 

‘I don't know where the report comes from, but I assure you that we are doing everything possible, with the presence of international organisations, to ensure that this phenomenon is managed in accordance with the law,’ the minister emphasised. 

The problem of immigration is becoming increasingly important for the Tunisian authorities. In this sense, Nafti asked that it be an issue that ‘must be discussed with great caution’ since many people are encouraged to travel to other countries by the mafias that manage migratory flows, especially on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. 

‘Tunisia finds it necessary to fight the human trafficking networks that push migrants to leave their countries,’ he added. 

The minister concluded by stating that the administration manages immigration in accordance with international law, respecting at all times the human rights of those who arrive in Tunisia, ‘as we have always done’. 

Similarly, the Tunisian diplomat assured that the government's policies are based on ‘awareness and development under the strict supervision of United Nations organisations’. 

Such as, for example, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who confirm Tunisia's ‘exceptional effort’ in terms of the dignity and human rights of migrants. 

On the other hand, Nafti defended the integrity of the Tunisian judicial system in response to a question about the case of four Tunisian activists who were arrested while working with migrants and refugees; and he claimed to be unaware of the details of the case.

Finally, Nafti alluded to the historical cultural relationship that exists between Tunisia and Spain, highlighting the musical legacy, such as Malouf music, with Andalusian roots, which has been preserved within Tunisian culture.