Italy wants aid for Tunisia economy

Tunisian Foreign Minister, Nabil Ammar, held a phone call with his Italian counterpart, Antonio Tajani, to discuss the economic and political situation in Tunisia. Tajani expressed Italy’s commitment to supporting Tunisia economically and politically in its democratic transition. The Italian Foreign Minister also briefed Ammar on his recent efforts with the EU, the IMF and Western countries to mobilise support for Tunisia, which is currently facing severe economic and social challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Tunisian government is seeking to obtain a loan from the IMF to address the economic crisis. Tajani referred to his conversations with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and stressed the need for rapid intervention to contribute to Tunisia’s stability and growth through economic and financial support. Tajani emphasised that Tunisia’s stability in terms of basic rights and freedoms is crucial for the entire Mediterranean region.

Tajani also highlighted Italy’s commitment to supporting Tunisia in border control activities and combating human trafficking. He expressed the Italian government’s efforts to create legal pathways to Italy for Tunisian workers and alternative training opportunities for migration. The call between the two foreign ministers underscores the close ties between Tunisia and Italy and Italy’s commitment to supporting Tunisia in its democratic transition.

The call comes at a critical time for Tunisia, which is facing a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. The support of Italy and other Western countries, as well as the IMF, is critical in helping Tunisia overcome these challenges and maintain its stability and democracy. The international community has a vested interest in the stability of the Mediterranean region, and supporting Tunisia is an important step towards achieving this goal.