The European Union has been left red-faced after €60million was returned by Tunisia just days after a fresh row erupted over migrants.
Brussels confirmed the multi-million Euro fund was handed back from Tunis earlier today.
A European Commission spokesperson said: “The Commission has been informed that Tunisia returned the payment of €60million (£51.76million).”
The €60million pot, which comes from a previous COVID-19 recovery programme, was directly transferred to the Tunisian Treasury.
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It was part of a larger €127million (£109.5million) tranche which included money for the EU-Tunisian memorandum on immigration.
Tunisian President Kais Saied dismissed the financial offer, saying it was “derisory” and contrary to the agreement.
He added: “Tunisia, which accepts cooperation, does not accept anything resembling charity or favour, because our country and our people do not want sympathy and do not accept it when it is without respect.”
Brussels attempted to take back control of the narrative by saying on the record that €60 million had been effectively paid in budgetary support “following a request from the Tunisian government on August 31.”
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Flags of the European Union fly outside the Berlaymont building of the European Commission
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European Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi even claimed Tunisia should “wire back” the money if it did not want it.
“Implementation of the (memorandum) should continue once Tunisia returns to the spirit of our strategic & comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect,” Várhelyi said.
However, deteriorating relations between Brussels and Tunis come amid growing concern about a recently signed immigration deal.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in mid-July: “In times of geopolitical uncertainties, it is important to deepen cooperation with our strategic partners.”
Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar addresses a joint press conference in Moscow on September 26, 2023
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The deal was signed in an attempt to curb the number of illegal migrants arriving on the continent from Northern Africa via the Mediterranean.
Tunisia has even reportedly accused Brussels of withholding funds agreed under the migrant pact.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar added: “We didn’t start wars and we didn’t plunge humanity into world wars as you did.”
Despite growing tensions, Brussels remain adamant that the development does not change the pillars of the bloc’s migrant accord with Tunis.