Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned on Friday that Europe could face a massive influx of migrants from North Africa if the financial stability of Tunisia is not maintained.
The country has been experiencing political turmoil since July 2021, when President Kais Saied took control of most powers.
Talks between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding a bailout have been at a stalemate, with the US and others demanding that Saied make significant reforms before money is released.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that “tens, maybe hundreds of thousands” of boat migrants could arrive in Europe if economic aid is not provided to Tunisia soon.
European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni will travel to Tunis on March 27 to discuss the reforms envisaged by the government.
So far this year, over 20,000 boat migrants have arrived in Italy, with at least 12,000 of them departing from Tunisia.
