President of Tunisia, Kaïs Saïed, has signed a partnership agreement with the European Union, which includes measures to combat people trafficking, given Tunisia's status as the primary departure point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe.

The deal was announced in Tunis by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who pledged enhanced cooperation in areas such as border management and search and rescue operations.

Italy's Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, representing the far-right, hailed the agreement as an important step towards establishing a genuine partnership in addressing what she referred to as the "migration crisis."

However, some members of the European Parliament have called for the agreement to be contingent upon respect for democracy and the rule of law in Tunisia. President Saïed had dissolved the parliament in 2021 and has undertaken constitutional reforms.

In recent months, there have been reports of racist violence targeting black Africans in Tunisia, following controversial statements made by President Saïed, who alleged a conspiracy to alter the demographic composition of the Arab-Muslim nation.