Summary:

On 31 July 2025, Tunisian President Kais Saied welcomed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tunis for bilateral discussions focused on economic development and migration management within the framework of Italy’s New Mattei Plan for Africa.

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Discussions between the two leaders highlighted key sectors where cooperation is ongoing, such as agriculture, water, and energy. The two leaders reviewed progress on joint projects, including the TANIT initiative, which aims to reuse treated wastewater for agricultural land recovery and to establish a regional center for agricultural training.

On energy, both sides affirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, stressing the strategic role of Tunisia and Italy as regional hubs connecting African energy production with European markets. Meloni reiterated Italy’s support for the ELMED electricity interconnection, a critical infrastructure project linking both countries and enabling the export of Tunisian renewable energy to Europe.

Migration was also a key topic. Saied and Meloni stressed their shared commitment to dismantling human trafficking networks while enhancing legal migration channels, notably through the ongoing Rome Process.

However, the press releases of both countries differed in certain aspects. The Tunisian statement noted that discussions also addressed the situation in Gaza and the ongoing genocide by Israeli forces, while the Italian communiqué focused solely on the progress of projects and migration cooperation, without reference to the Palestinian issue.

Outlook: 

Italy is increasingly highlighting North Africa as a key region for its foreign policy, particularly in areas of energy security, economic cooperation, and migration management. Recent meetings, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and her fifth trip to Tunisia in the last two years, underscore Rome’s growing focus on strengthening ties with North African partners.

Meloni’s visit to Tunis, which was not publicly announced by either side, could reflect the discreet handling of politically sensitive discussions. The frequency and discretion of these visits suggest that Italy sees Tunisia as a central player in its broader regional approach, particularly considering shared energy interests and migration pressures.

However, the differences in public messaging following the meeting points to divergences in political communication strategies. While the Italian communiqué emphasized technical cooperation and migration management, the Tunisian statement also referenced regional concerns such as Gaza. This difference indicates that each country is addressing distinct domestic audiences with differing political priorities while leveraging their shared interests as a platform to keep discussions and progress going.

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