Summary:

On 23 April 2024, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto visited Tunisia to discuss migration and border security amidst rising migrant arrivals in Italy. 

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Crosetto met with Tunisian Defense Minister Imed Memmich as part of the 25th Italian-Tunisian Joint Military Commission. The meetings ended with the signing of the 2024 Bilateral Cooperation Plan which outlines an ambitious vision for training, exchanges, joint exercises, and intelligence sharing between the Tunisian and Italian militaries.  

The Cooperation Plan includes nearly 50 proposed activities, with many proposed to take place in Italy as well as in Tunisia. An official press release highlighted a focus on undersea operations, including diving, as an area of expanded cooperation. 

Separately, an Italian cultural delegation was interrupted during a visit to the Tunis International Book Fair. The Italian delegation departed the area when pro-Palestinian protestors entered, chanting slogans decrying Italy’s support for Israel. 

The visit by Crosetto comes only a week after Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Tunisia, meeting with President Kais Saied to discuss issues related to migration among other topics. Italy is implementing its updated “Mattei Plan” which has promised a holistic approach to investment in Africa. 

Outlook: 

While the recent flurry of diplomatic engagements between Italy and Tunisia could indicate that bilateral relations are improving, it more likely points to Italy’s intent to take a more hands-on approach in the management of the migration issue. 

Defense and security cooperation are helpful means by which Italy can take a more pro-active approach to advising, training, and guiding Tunisian security forces in disrupting migration attempts, even at the tactical level.  

Joint training and exercises improve the interoperability of the two militaries, but also expand influence, which Italy will need more of as PM Meloni seeks to implement the new Mattei Plan in the long term, and show results on migration in the short term. 

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