The two countries did not communicate about the event until the maneuvers were over. The Ministries of Defense simply made it clear, laconic, that the cooperation focused on the fight against dangers at sea, illegal immigration and smuggling.
as reported from Tunis, Michel picard
Never since the Tunisian revolution in 2011 has the number of illegal departures to Europe been so high. While winter does not lead to crossings, 640 candidates in exile reached the Italian coasts again last month, 20 times more than in February 2020.
Greece came to share Tunisia’s expertise in the fight against covert migration and human trafficking at sea. Surveillance, research equipment, rescue equipment were on the menu for the exercise, in which a military ship participated on the Greek side and a rapid patrol. accompanied by special naval forces on the Tunisian side.
An eye on Libya
But in addition to the issue of migration, we must consider the Greek presence a stone’s throw from Tripoli in the light of the establishment in Libya of its Turkish rival.
Tunisia and Athens share common concerns over Turkish expansion and its continued presence on Libyan soil. The visit last summer in Tunis by the head of Greek diplomacy was an opportunity to recall the benefits of seeing the situation in Libya calm down. The Greek Prime Minister will be in Libya on Tuesday resume the embassy in their country, closed for six years.
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Through this joint military exercise, albeit limited because it covers only one of its ships, Greece intends to confirm to its Turkish neighbor that it must be included in the Mediterranean. It is also an opportunity to expand its network of privileged partnerships with countries that share many of their concerns.
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