Tunisia's Rejection of EU Funds Sparks Migration and Aid Dispute

The European Commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood, Olivér Várhelyi, has stated that Tunisia is free to return the €60 million in EU funds that were transferred earlier this week, after Tunisian President Kais Saied rejected the financial offer as "derisory" and contrary to the memorandum of understanding signed in July. The European Commission clarified that the funds were already paid to the Tunisian treasury upon the government's request, and Várhelyi openly invited Tunisia to wire back the money if it does not want it. The EU-Tunisia memorandum has faced criticism for alleged abuses against sub-Saharan migrants, and the controversy surrounding the agreement continues.