Migrants: EU provides over 20 million to strengthen Tunisia’s Coast Guard

Brussels – The EU has allocated 20.1 million euros to train the Tunisian coastguard to stem the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean. The total expenditure covered two different types of action: the first involves collaboration with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and the German Federal Police to develop training programmes for the Tunisian Coastguard and support the possible establishment of a maritime training academy, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, said. “The programme is funded by the EU with EUR
13.5 million and has been implemented since January 2023 for a duration of 42 months” (until June this year). 

The EU is also working with the French agency Civipol to strengthen the capabilities of the Tunisian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre. The project supports the development of coordination, communication and operational capabilities for search and rescue at sea. Since January 2023, EU funds have been funding this activity, which has a 60-month duration until the end of 2027, with approximately 6.6 million euros.​