[Type here]
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
NEIGHBOURHOOD AND ENLARGEMENT NEGOTIATIONS
DGA2. Southern Neighbourhood, Turkey, Migration/Refugees and Security issues
DGA2.01 Migration
Brussels,
NEAR.DGA.01/
/Ares(2023)
NOTE FOR THE ATTENTION OF
NEAR DGA2.01
Subject: Mission report of
to Tunis, 27/29 November 2023
Purpose of the Mission
The purpose of the mission was to:
Participate in the Steering Committee Meetings for the Border Management
Project (BMP Maghreb)
Main findings:
The Garde Nationale's current efforts are centred in the Sfax area, having strategically
relocated the majority of their personnel from the north and centre of the country. As of
November 24, the Coast Guard has executed 3022 operations, resulting in 73,185
interceptions significantly surpassing the 31,859 interceptions recorded in 2022. A
rough assessment by the GNM suggests that at least 20% of these intercepted migrants
are counted more than once due to multiple attempts to cross. In 2023, 753 smugglers
have been detained, slightly down from the 784 detained throughout 2022.
These new
Commission européenne/Europese Commissie, 1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIQUE/BELGIË - Tel. +32 22991111
@ec.europa.eu
boats aim to reduce operational costs and modernize an aging fleet. The GNM has
committed to swift collaboration with UNOPS to approve the Terms of Reference (ToR)
for procurement.
Additionally, seven 17m boats will be
refurbished through our Search and Rescue (SAR) programme. The ToR for these
initiatives is ready and awaiting approval from the GNM, which has committed to
approving them before year-end.
Prioritizing 11m boats, seven have been requested through the BMP, with plans to
procure them based on the ToR prepared by UNOPS for the Italian supply.
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Meetings
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3 - Steering Committee and meetings on the Border Management Programme
Maghreb, Tunisia component.
The National Guard's threefold priorities within the BMP-Maghreb project were
outlined. Firstly, the acquisition of coastal surveillance radar systems took
precedence, crucial for enhancing border security. Secondly, the establishment of a
dedicated electronic maintenance unit was proposed to ensure the longevity of fleet and
electronic equipment. Thirdly, the creation of a central command room aimed at
strategically coordinating all border security activities was emphasized.
To address financial needs, a substantial request of around 15 million euros was
submitted to the European Union. This additional funding sought to implement an LTE
system along the entire coast in the coming year, a move strategically aimed at bolstering
communication and connectivity capacities.
DG NEAR articulated the collective objective of the steering committee
addressing
irregular migration, maritime operations, and EU commitment to supporting the National
Guard in ensuring regional security. A substantial financial commitment of 65 million
euros for border management in Tunisia in 2023 underscored the EU's dedication. An
additional 18 million euros were earmarked specifically for combating human traffickers.
The National Guard provided a
comprehensive overview of the BMP-Maghreb project's history, underscoring impactful
actions such as radar standardisation and extensive personnel training, enhancing the
capabilities of the Tunisian Coast Guard.
Decisions regarding the acquisition of boats and the importance of drones for field
support and coastal surveillance were key points. GNM stressed the priority to procure
11m boats,
. . El
E ect
c roni
on c maintenance of 9m
rubber boats needed. Future acquisitions of 27m vessels have been prioritised.
In terms of decisions, DG NEAR urged the presentation of budgeted scenarios to
facilitate informed decisions regarding the coastal surveillance system. The National
Guard emphasized the need for progress despite budget constraints, and decisions
surrounding LTE awaited EU approval.
[e-signed]
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c.c.:
Annex I: Agenda for the BMP steering Committee
Annex II: Agenda Training Academy Steering Committee
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