The EU is approaching an agreement with Jordan and Morocco that will limit migration

Šuica told The Financial Times that the agreement with Jordan is almost ready and King Abdullah of Jordan will sign it in Brussels at the turn of January and February: “It will happen with Jordan,” she said.

According to her, both the EU and Amman are interested in the agreement. This is confirmed by the fact that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, traveled to Jordan on Monday: “I am looking forward to welcoming King Abdullah in Brussels at the beginning of the year. Together we will launch a strategic partnership between the EU and Jordan.”

She added that the EU will cooperate with Jordan and other partners on the political transition in Syria, where President Bashar Assad was overthrown. Jordan has the second largest number of migrants relative to its population, mostly from Syria.

The Croatian Šuica said that the agreement with Jordan should be similar to the one Brussels concluded with Tunisia and Cairo last year. It is to include energy projects as well as trade development projects along with migration control measures. Tunisia will receive 165 million euros (4.1 billion crowns) and Egypt 7.7 billion euros (185 billion euros).

However, the agreements have faced criticism from human rights advocates and some politicians because, according to them, they violate human rights. Tunisian President Kaís Saíd got rid of the opposition this year in order to rule autocratically. His authorities are accused of organized smuggling and deportation of migrants, which he denies.

Šuica defends the agreements: “These countries are on the verge of collapse and we have to help them.” She added that caution is needed regarding Tunisia. She emphasized that the requested cent will not be released until it fulfills its obligations regarding human rights.

With these agreements, the EU is responding to the growing concerns of its residents about uncontrolled migration and the related growing support of far-right and anti-migration parties.

Šuicaová added that another agreement should be concluded with Morocco: “Morocco is one of the most important.” Migration routes pass through the country. However, this agreement is complicated by the disputed area of ​​Western Sahara, which Morocco claims. Because of this, the European Court of Justice declared the EU agreement with Morocco on fishing and agriculture to be invalid because it violates the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination.