Italy and Tunisia talks target migration and development
Tunisia and Italy continue to showcase their alliance as Tunisian President Kais Saied welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tunis to deepen cooperation under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, as reported by Africanews on July 31st.
Their talks, held at the presidential palace, focused on economic growth, energy diversification, and reducing irregular migration.
The Mattei Plan, named after Enrico Mattei, founder of Eni, serves as Italy’s central strategy for development across the African continent. Rome aims to build a “non-predatory” partnership with Africa, as Meloni describes it, centred on job creation, infrastructure, and long-term opportunity.
The initiative targets key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, military, water and sanitation. Likewise, in energy, Italy has already pledged 400m Euros to Tunisia in the green energy transition. Italian officials believe that by improving living conditions and generating employment, the plan can reduce the appeal of dangerous migration routes across the Mediterranean.
Italy has faced sustained pressure as one of the EU’s main points of arrival for asylum seekers and migrants, many of whom depart from North African shores. Meloni’s government continues to pursue a two-track policy, tightening border controls while also addressing the root causes of migration.
Tunisia, as a primary transit hub, occupies a central role in this approach. Strengthening ties with Saied’s government has become a key pillar of Italy’s regional strategy. Meloni views closer cooperation with Tunis as essential to achieving both security and development aims. To such a degree that Meloni has visited Tunisia for the 5th time in the past year.
Although the leaders did not announce new agreements, both stressed the importance of continued collaboration. The meeting underscored Italy’s intention to act as a strategic partner for African countries, balancing its geopolitical ambitions with practical development goals.
Africanews, Maghrebi.org
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