The Tunisian government has returned to the European Commission the €60 million it recently received as part of a previous funding programme for the consequences of Covid-19, as reported by La Stampa and Politico on Wednesday 11 October. “We were informed of these developments, but they were not linked to the Memorandum of Understanding (on migration),” commented the Commission. “I am certain that if the dialogue continues, things can change”, added Commission spokesman Eric Mamer, at a time when Tunisia is constantly sending out negative signals about the implementation of the agreement sealed in July, particularly with regard to the arrangements for the €105 million envelope earmarked to prevent migrants from leaving for the EU. “Tunisia accepts cooperation, but does not accept anything resembling charity or favour, because our country and our people do not want sympathy and do not accept it when it is not respected”, commented the Tunisian President, Kaïs Saïed, last week. (SP)