Rome’s Fourth Visit to Tunisia in One Year Reaffirms Commitment to Stability and Prosperity in Mediterranean Region

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to visit Tunisia today before heading to Brussels for the Extraordinary European Council meeting. This will be his fourth trip to the North African country in under a year, underscoring Rome’s strong commitment to supporting Tunisia.

Accompanying the Prime Minister on this visit are Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini, and Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli. The aim of this visit is to facilitate dialogue with Tunisian President Kai Saied on key areas of cooperation such as the Mattei Plan implementation, migration cooperation, energy partnerships, and economic collaboration.

Italy has been actively promoting positive EU-Tunisia relations through various initiatives. The Memorandum signed on July 16, 2023 was a significant step in strengthening these relations. Additionally, Italy is working towards legal mobility for work purposes by signing a Memorandum on October 20, 2023 – the first of its kind in Tunisia. The Mattei Plan designates Tunisia as a priority country, and this upcoming visit will explore various areas of cooperation between the two nations.

Three instruments will be signed during the visit, including agreements on support for the Tunisian state budget, credit lines for small and medium-sized businesses, and cooperation in the field of university research. In addition to these initiatives, Italy is also investing heavily in renewable energy through strategic projects such as ELMED submarine electric cable project. This investment highlights Italy’s commitment to supporting Tunisia’s economic development while also advancing its own interests in renewable energy.

Overall, Italy’s continued engagement with Tunisia underscores both countries’ mutual respect and shared interests in promoting stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean region.