EP delegation visits Tunisia to assess migration situation

Migration was in the spotlight 13-16 July when a delegation of six MEPs visited Tunisia to assess the problems caused by the exodus of immigrants from Tunisia to the EU. This situation has been exacerbated by the influx of asylum seekers to Tunisia fleeing the war in Libya and the delegation visited refugee camps close to the border.

"Europe must address the challenges posed by this situation, particularly the treatment of refugees, humanitarian aid as well as the impact on the migratory flow towards Europe," said Maltese EPP member Simon Busuttil, who led the delegation."Our delegation will help us understand better how we can help alleviate the situation. We will do this by talking directly to the refugees, to the international organisations running their camps and to the Tunisian authorities".

Programme

On Wednesday afternoon the delegation met with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and with the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Agency, ECHO.

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On Thursday, the MEPs visited the Choucha UNHCR refugee camp and the camp run by the United Arab Emirates, near  the border with Libya.

On Friday the group was in Tunis for meetings with Prime Minister Beji Caid El Sebsi, Foreign Minister Mohamed Mouldi Kefi, Interior Minister Habib Essid, Social Affairs Minister Mohamed Ennaceur and the EU Head of Mission and US Ambassador.

Check out the visit on Twitter

The visit was tweeted live using the hashtag #eptunisia so check back to see the extensive coverage.