EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding

On 16 July 2023, the EU and Tunisia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) based on five pillars – macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, green energy transition, people-to-people contacts, and migration and mobility – the last being the most important. The MoU complements the EU–Tunisia Association Agreement and Member States' bilateral initiatives, and prioritises measures against irregular migration, with a view to avoiding loss of human life and developing legal pathways for migration. The MoU defined a common approach based on upholding human rights and with action to combat criminal networks of migrant smugglers and human traffickers. Immediate aid of €105 million was released to support the Tunisian coastguard and border management. The MoU also proposed €900 million in macroeconomic support and €150 million in direct budgetary support.