Italy, EU vow to support Tunisia's economy to stem migration

Italy and the European Union have promised to support Tunisia’s economy as part of their efforts to stem migration across the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe

TUNIS, Tunisia -- Italy and the European Union promised Thursday to support Tunisia's economy as part of their efforts to stem migration across the Mediterranean Sea toward Europe. Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese and EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson visited Tunisia for talks with President Kais Saied and Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi. More than 67 migrants drowned or disappeared off the coast of Tunisia in recent days after their boats sank. Saied called for a “global approach on migration issues that goes beyond security solutions...to treat the deep roots of the phenomena via fighting poverty and unemployment and supporting development policies in the countries of origin,” according to a statement from the Tunisian presidency.