Tunisia Reaffirms Commitment to Multilateralism at Africa-Europe Summit
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, reiterated Tunisia's strong attachment to the principles of multilateralism and the need to renew collective action in a world experiencing profound mutations and rapid disruptions. This comes as the world faces intersecting security crises, economic challenges, environmental issues, and humanitarian concerns.
Participation in the 7th Africa-Europe Summit
As part of his participation in the 7th Africa-Europe Summit, held in Angola on November 24-25, 2025, Nafti delivered Tunisia's address during the second session focused on shaping a "prosperous and sustainable future for Africa and Europe" and "partnership for migration and mobility."
According to a statement from the department, Nafti began his intervention by noting that the summit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Africa-Europe partnership. He considered this an opportunity to clarify visions and orientations between the two parties to establish cooperation frameworks and mechanisms that can boost bilateral relations and define a new common strategic approach. This approach should take into account the reality of both continents and their needs, given the worsening and intertwining of challenges on one hand, and the benefits, capabilities, and real opportunities for strengthening cooperation and partnership on the other.
Commitment to Multilateralism
Nafti reaffirmed Tunisia's firm commitment to the principles of multilateralism and the necessity of renewing collective action in a world facing deep mutations and rapid disturbances, where security crises intersect with economic, environmental, and humanitarian challenges. These realities require updating the foundations of multilateral action and rebuilding trust in its various structures. They also call for collective reflection and political courage to rehabilitate the values upon which the United Nations and various international partnerships, including the Africa-Europe partnership, were founded. These values include constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in preserving international peace and security.
Approach to Migration
In his intervention, Nafti reiterated Tunisia's position calling for addressing the migration issue within a comprehensive, multidimensional approach - human, economic, social, and cultural - based on shared but differentiated responsibility and equitable burden sharing, particularly in light of development disparities and opportunity inequalities between the North and the South.
He called for accelerating programs of legal and circular human mobility between Africa and Europe and for establishing a mechanism involving the African Union and the European Union to encourage joint investment in countries of origin. Nafti emphasized that the future of both continents depends on their collective ability to adopt regular, transparent, and attractive processes for mobility, without weakening the national capacities of skill-sending countries and avoiding the negative effects of brain drain.
Partnership and Innovation
This can be achieved through the establishment of solidarity partnerships and innovative mechanisms to ensure the return of experts, as well as guaranteeing support for national systems of higher education, vocational training, and lifelong learning. Nafti explained that migration can be a source of development and wealth when it is organized, safe, legal, and respectful of human dignity. He highlighted the challenges posed by irregular migration, fueled by human trafficking networks, and welcomed the ongoing cooperation with the International Organization for Migration to create new opportunities and mobilize human resources for investment in migrants' countries of origin.
Conclusion and Future Directions
Nafti concluded his address by stating that it is now time to develop and build new, more equitable systems and to engage in a process of transforming policies. This requires increased and convergent efforts to face current challenges and adopt comprehensive approaches where the human being is a true driver of development, serving present and future generations.
The summit resulted in the adoption of a joint declaration defining the main orientations and priorities of the Africa-Europe partnership for the coming period, as well as the commitment of both parties to support cooperation in the areas of peace, security, migration, and development, in addition to strengthening multilateral action and revising its mechanisms to ensure fair representation of Africa and address the challenges facing the African and European continents.
