I’ll explain the issues between Tunisia and the EU. Varvelli speaks (Ecfr)
The case of the landings in Lampedusa. The role of Saied's Tunisia. Relations with the EU. And the scenarios on immigration and beyond. Start Magazine conversation with Arturo Varvelli, director of the Rome office and Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (Ecfr)
“Meloni and Salvini must put their souls at peace. There is no conspiracy against us, as there wasn't ten years ago." This is said by Arturo Varvelli , director of the Rome office and Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (Ecfr), who adds: “Talking about rejections with a population that is aging so rapidly is not far-sighted at all. On the contrary, we should implement active migration policies and select the people we really need."
Varvelli, what is happening in Tunisia? Why these uncontrolled flows?
Thinking that an agreement that was signed a few months ago by the EU in the presence of Meloni could already work is illusory to say the least, especially because countries like Tunisia do not have an immediate reaction capacity. Furthermore, our relations with Tunis are very complicated: in fact, there has been no shortage of skirmishes.
What are you referring to in particular?
I am referring to the refusal of the European Parliament delegation which wanted to address the issue of respecting the terms of the agreement on the spot. Relations are therefore not simple, but I think we have to wait a little longer to judge this agreement. The fact remains that it is, to say the least, naive to think that such an agreement for the outsourcing of the control of migratory flows could work 100%.
Why?
First of all because you expose yourself to blackmail. We know very well that this agreement, more than on Tunisia's capabilities, depends on the political will of the autocrat in question, in this case Saied , and therefore on his willingness to actually do something.
So are we all in Saied's hands?
The critical point of the agreement is precisely this: we do not know whether Saied is actually able to block transit by talking to some of the important clans, especially those on the coastal strip, who control the departure of the boats. We are talking about actors who are running a very profitable business in the context of a Tunisian economy that is on the brink of collapse.
In short, could the deal not work?
We can only hope that Saied will finally decide to do what we asked of him, that is, to do the dirty work for us. In my opinion, however, it would be necessary to see the migration issue within the framework of the policies that the EU implements in the region, policies that appear completely insufficient.
Insufficient?
Alas yes. We are talking about our neighborhood, which must be helped and in a different way if we really want to solve the problems. Bear in mind that the relevant topics, which are those of the economy, energy and beyond, are all interconnected. We would need a different approach than the one adopted so far. It certainly cannot be one of grab and run, but must be one of bilateral and equal work between Europe and Africa. The prospects are very interesting in terms of digital connections and energy development. We need serious projects and programs. For example, Europe should update the Global Gateway to include the ambitions I mentioned.
Perhaps it is better to act bilaterally, between Rome and Tunis?
There are no shortcuts. There is a very long and profound work to be done that cannot be carried out by Italy alone. Meloni and Salvini must put their souls at peace. There is no conspiracy against us, as there wasn't ten years ago. What we are experiencing is a situation dictated first and foremost by the geographical position and then by the inability of the West and Europe to look at these phenomena in their complexity by launching policies that are up to the challenge. There are issues at stake that Europe should know well.
Which?
First of all the demographic problem. Europe has a demographic that will not allow it to have healthy economic accounts and welfare in the coming years. We have a terrible struggle keeping our young people who cannot find work in countries like Italy. Demographic and economic issues are intertwined. We need to have a younger demographic component, but we reject those who come from abroad and do not produce integration. Talking about pushback with a population that is aging so rapidly is not farsighted at all. On the contrary, we should implement active migration policies and select the people we really need.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/mondo/vi-spiego-il-caso-tunisia-ue-parla-varvelli-ecfr/ on Sat, 16 Sep 2023 07:32:40 +0000.