Tunis has strongly rejected a proposal by the Italian government to send police to Tunisia to stem the flow of illegal migrants trying to reach Italy. "Tunisia (...) expresses his surprise at that position and stated his categorical rejection of any interference in its internal affairs or to (any) infringe upon its sovereignty," said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia.
The Italian interior minister, and also a member of the populist Northern League, Roberto Maroni, had made this proposal in response landed in recent days on the Italian island of Lampedusa over two thousand illegal immigrants from Tunisia . Waited for a lightning visit to Tunisia on Monday afternoon, during which he will meet Prime Minister of Tunisia, the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that Tunisia and Italy have "a common interest in curbing traffic.
"Italy can offer much in Tunisia," Frattini said, citing "logistical support in terms of equipping the police force, the provision of substantial resources, both naval and land, to control the Tunisian coast. "Until now patrolling the coasts of North Africa have worked, and we want to resume the practice, which until a month ago, had reduced to zero illegal immigration", said Mr Frattini.
The Tunisian authorities, if they declare their willingness "to cooperate with sister countries to identify appropriate solutions to the phenomenon of illegal immigration stress that this cooperation must be founded on respect for human rights and human dignity, and the principle of development solidarity ".
"Tunisia aims to examine this question with complete transparency with Italian officials during future contacts in the days to come," the ministry added. The mass landings of Tunisians on the island of Lampedusa have aroused the concern of Rome, which launched an appeal for international assistance.
Mr Maroni has criticized the lack of a concerted European action, saying the EU "has only left Italy, as usual, opposite landed about five thousand people in five days. Statements not appreciated by the European Commission, which has sharply rebutted the accusations of inaction. "I'm very surprised by the information," said Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Cecilia Malmström.
"By Saturday, I was in personal contact with Italian authorities and when I asked if they needed help, he answered me: no thank you, we do not need assistance from the Commission at this stage. " "The European Commission is ready to assist Italy in its capabilities and expertise, if requested by the authorities," insisted the spokesman Malmström, Michele Cercone.
He cited the possibility to send Italian border guards of other EU countries, as was done in Greece. But Italian authorities did not request such assistance, provided Michele Cercone. The means of Frontex, the European agency responsible for monitoring the external borders of the EU, could also be implemented, "but these actions are exclusively in respect of fundamental rights," said the EU.
Tunis relies heavily on economic support from the international community. Further funding from the European Union, Tunisia particularly wishes to obtain EU "advanced status" which opens the way for preferential customs treatment. The chief diplomat of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, is expected Monday in Tunisia for a visit focused on the willingness of the EU to provide assistance to democratic reforms in that country after the fall, mid-January, President Zine El-Ali AbidineBen, under pressure from the street.
A spokesman in Brussels said on Sunday night to that Ashton would assess the situation on the ground, without elaborating. The subject should be discussed at the next meeting of interior ministers of the EU, scheduled Feb. 24 in Brussels. 
The Italian interior minister, and also a member of the populist Northern League, Roberto Maroni, had made this proposal in response landed in recent days on the Italian island of Lampedusa over two thousand illegal immigrants from Tunisia . Waited for a lightning visit to Tunisia on Monday afternoon, during which he will meet Prime Minister of Tunisia, the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that Tunisia and Italy have "a common interest in curbing traffic.
"Italy can offer much in Tunisia," Frattini said, citing "logistical support in terms of equipping the police force, the provision of substantial resources, both naval and land, to control the Tunisian coast. "Until now patrolling the coasts of North Africa have worked, and we want to resume the practice, which until a month ago, had reduced to zero illegal immigration", said Mr Frattini.
The Tunisian authorities, if they declare their willingness "to cooperate with sister countries to identify appropriate solutions to the phenomenon of illegal immigration stress that this cooperation must be founded on respect for human rights and human dignity, and the principle of development solidarity ".
"Tunisia aims to examine this question with complete transparency with Italian officials during future contacts in the days to come," the ministry added. The mass landings of Tunisians on the island of Lampedusa have aroused the concern of Rome, which launched an appeal for international assistance.
Mr Maroni has criticized the lack of a concerted European action, saying the EU "has only left Italy, as usual, opposite landed about five thousand people in five days. Statements not appreciated by the European Commission, which has sharply rebutted the accusations of inaction. "I'm very surprised by the information," said Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Cecilia Malmström.
"By Saturday, I was in personal contact with Italian authorities and when I asked if they needed help, he answered me: no thank you, we do not need assistance from the Commission at this stage. " "The European Commission is ready to assist Italy in its capabilities and expertise, if requested by the authorities," insisted the spokesman Malmström, Michele Cercone.
He cited the possibility to send Italian border guards of other EU countries, as was done in Greece. But Italian authorities did not request such assistance, provided Michele Cercone. The means of Frontex, the European agency responsible for monitoring the external borders of the EU, could also be implemented, "but these actions are exclusively in respect of fundamental rights," said the EU.
Tunis relies heavily on economic support from the international community. Further funding from the European Union, Tunisia particularly wishes to obtain EU "advanced status" which opens the way for preferential customs treatment. The chief diplomat of the European Union, Catherine Ashton, is expected Monday in Tunisia for a visit focused on the willingness of the EU to provide assistance to democratic reforms in that country after the fall, mid-January, President Zine El-Ali AbidineBen, under pressure from the street.
A spokesman in Brussels said on Sunday night to that Ashton would assess the situation on the ground, without elaborating. The subject should be discussed at the next meeting of interior ministers of the EU, scheduled Feb. 24 in Brussels.
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