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After the European Union dangled a hefty aid package, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Tunisia to accept IMF reforms and stop plunging over a “economic cliff” on Monday.
The United States has led claims that the birthplace of the Arab Spring is slipping into authoritarianism as a result of the dissolution of parliament and the detention of opposition leaders, but Tunisian President Kais Saied has consistently rejected “diktats” from the International Monetary Fund.
However, the European Union on Sunday offered a 900 billion euro rescue plan — conditional on Tunisia completing an IMF deal — led by Italy, which worries about a spike in migration if Tunisia’s economy further deteriorates.
Blinken expressed appreciation for the “important step” taken by the European Union when he met with his Italian colleague. He did, however, add that “something more comprehensive — that in our judgement the IMF can best provide — would be important to actually helping Tunisia get on a sustainable and positive path.”
“We would very much welcome the Tunisian government presenting a revised reform plan to the IMF and for the IMF to be able to act on the plan presented,” Blinken stated during a joint press conference.
It is obvious that Tunisia needs more help if it is to keep from slipping over the proverbial economic cliff, he said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Tunisia to adopt IMF reforms and stop falling over a “economic cliff” on Monday after the European Union dangled a sizable aid package in front of it.
Due to the dissolution of the parliament and the incarceration of opposition leaders, the United States has led accusations that the country that gave birth to the Arab Spring is falling into authoritarianism. However, Tunisian President Kais Saied has persistently refused “diktats” from the International Monetary Fund.
However, the European Union on Sunday presented a 900 billion euro rescue plan, headed by Italy, which is concerned about a surge in migration if Tunisia’s economy continues to deteriorate. This proposal is contingent on Tunisia finalising an IMF deal.
