The European Commission has defended its migration partnership with Tunisia in the face of criticism from Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

The partnership, signed in July, aims to address the issue of irregular migration from Tunisia to Europe. Tunisia, along with Libya, is a primary departure point for migrants crossing the central Mediterranean.

Critics on both sides of the political spectrum have voiced concerns about the agreement. Left-wing and Green MEPs have denounced the partnership due to concerns about authoritarianism in Tunisia and the mistreatment of sub-Saharan migrants.

Meanwhile, right-wing and far-right MEPs believe the partnership is inadequate in reducing migrant arrivals in Europe.

During a plenary session of the European Parliament, European Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi acknowledged concerns but stressed the importance of cooperation with Tunisia.

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He pointed out that cooperation had led to a significant increase in boat interceptions and migrant rescues this year.

Tunisian coast guards intercepted nearly 24,000 migrant boats in 2023, compared to 9,376 in 2022. Lives saved increased from 32,459 in 2022 to nearly 50,000 in 2023.

Varhelyi emphasized the need for rapid implementation of the partnership, which also covers areas like macroeconomic stability, trade, and investments.

He argued that the socio-economic situation in Tunisia makes EU engagement in the region even more relevant.

However, some MEPs expressed skepticism about the partnership’s effectiveness. They called for urgent action to address the continuing influx of migrants into Europe via the central Mediterranean route.

The debate surrounding the partnership reflects broader discussions about EU migration policies and cooperation with countries in North Africa.