Several hundred migrants have been rescued in the Mediterranean in the last few days. The migrants were picked up by private rescue ships and the Italian coast guard. Four people are missing after a boat sank off Lampedusa.
Tunisia has been going through a severe economic and political crisis in the last few years. More than one out of three young persons is unemployed. The route to Europe, which is lacking qualified personnel in many sectors, seems like the only way forward.
Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi and the EU Special Representative for the Sahel, Emanuela Del Re, have discussed the need to develop a joint vision on irregular migration based on "solidarity" and "fair development", as well as security.
A common myth told by migrant smugglers is that crossing the Mediterranean Sea is easy. Evidence shows that this is false. Here's a look at the facts.
The lack of qualified workers, predominantly caused by the departure of baby boomers from the job market, is making economists in Europe fear huge economic losses in the future. Like many other countries, Germany sees targeted migration as part of the solution. But there are still many obstacles in the way.
A four-year-old girl who reached Italy without her parents on a boat carrying migrants from Tunisia in October was repatriated on Thursday, authorities said. A judge in Sicily ruled she should be returned on a request by Tunisian authorities.
In recent years, the number of Tunisians attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Italy have increased. Many hope to find work and a better life in Italy, but some might also be fleeing problems. However, as citizens of a classified ‘safe country,’ finding ways to stay in Italy can be difficult for them.
The European Commission has announced an 'Action Plan' to stop migrants from crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa to Europe. The move follows a bitter dispute between France and Italy over states' responsibility for rescued migrants.
Zaki Hannache, an Algerian activist who applied for asylum in Tunisia, has said that he has obtained refugee status in Tunisia. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has not commented so far.
Police in southern Italy say that they have uncovered a migrant smuggling ring operating between Tunisia and the Italian island of Sicily. Twelve people were reportedly arrested, police were unable to track down six other suspects.
Reports suggest that four people died and two are still missing after an inflatable boat carrying migrants sank shortly after departing Tunisia for Europe.
The Italian island of Lampedusa saw the arrival of more than 700 migrants and refugees on Wednesday and Thursday. Over 1,300 people are now staying at local hotspots, built for just 350. A baby was found dead on a boat that crossed from Tunisia.