The immigration agreement with Tunisia is a model for others

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that the EU agreement with Tunisia could serve as a model for other countries, as the bloc struggles to stem the flow of illegal migrants across the Mediterranean.

The European Union and Tunisia signed last week strategic partnership agreement It includes cracking down on human smugglers and tightening border controls.

Europe also pledged to provide Aid worth one billion euros ($1.1 billion) to support the exhausted Tunisian economy and save state finances.

Von der Leyen said in Bruma conference“We want our agreement with Tunisia to be a model… a model for the future… in order to establish partnerships with other countries in the region.”

She added that the European Union should provide a legal way out to receive migrants instead of risking their lives in perilous sea crossings.

The new strategic partnerships will include economic development, trade and investment, with bilateral benefits in areas such as climate and renewable energy.

Von der Leyen referred to the partnerships that the European Union has with Egypt and Morocco in the field of hydrogen, saying: “The Mediterranean region has enormous natural resources such as sun, wind and abundant landscapes. You have the potential and the ambition to be global energy powers in a world that is free of (harmful gas) emissions.”