Germany will give Tunisia 250 million euros to support development projects in poor areas, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said in Tunis. Germany and Tunisia have also signed a new immigration deal.
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said the deal tackling unauthorized immigration signed Friday would satisfy both Tunisia and Germany. The agreement will allow Germany to deport rejected asylum-seekers back to Tunisia more quickly.
As part of the accord, Tunisian officials will clarify any identity questions relating to Tunisians with rejected asylum requests within 30 days. The papers needed for deportation will then be issued within one week.
“This is good news for us,” Chancellor Merkel said in Tunis after the agreement’s annoucement.
The accord follows tension that grew between the two countries after Tunisian national Anis Amri allegedly drove a truck into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people. German authorities had previously detained Amri but could not deport him as Tunisia did not provide him with identity documents.
The new aid German will provide to Tunisia, totaling 250 million euros ($263 million), would be used to promote development projects, create jobs and support small businesses, Merkel said at a press conference in Tunis.
Source: DW
