“To stop the flood of illegal immigrants, our two countries set up a programme of cooperation focusing mainly on support for voluntary return [of asylum seekers] and on professional training for young Tunisians in their own country,” he said. “According to our statistics, more than 1,600 Tunisian asylum seekers have returned home thanks to this support.”
Asked how many people had benefited from the training programme, Jhinaoui said “frankly not many for the moment” but “we hope to have about 50 by the end of the year”.
The two migration accords are seen as a model by Switzerland. They are part of an overall cooperation strategy signed with Tunisia in 2012 and renewed until 2020 during a visit to Tunisia by Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga last October.
The cooperation deal, launched in the wake of the Arab Spring, is built on three focus areas: democratic development, economic growth, and migration.
“Switzerland was the first country to support the democratic process when we were just starting to set up the new democratic institutions in 2013-2014,” Jhinaoui said.
Asked when funds linked to former Tunisian dictator Ben Ali which had been frozen in Switzerland would be returned, Jhinaoui recalled that not only did Switzerland freeze the funds as early as 2011 but has already returned CHF250,000 ($254,000) to Tunisia.
“Procedures are under way to free the remaining CHF60 million still blocked as part of criminal procedures in Switzerland to determine if their source is legal or not. Switzerland has extended the time limit until January 19, and in the meantime Tunisian jurists are receiving training from Swiss experts as part of judicial cooperation.”
Swiss cantons have killed 39 wolves so far this autumn
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In mid-November, 35 packs of three or more wolves were detected in Switzerland. At least eight of them may be eliminated during the current hunting season. So far, at least 39 wolves have been shot in Graubünden, Valais, Vaud and St. Gallen.
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Pierre-Yves Maillard, president of the Swiss Trade Union Confederation, sees no agreement in sight in negotiations with the European Union.
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The "Dubai chocolate" has also caused a rush in Switzerland: queues formed outside the Lindt chocolate factory in Kilchberg, canton Zurich, on Saturday morning.
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Stargazers currently have the chance to spot shooting stars in the night sky. Until November 30, the Leonid meteor shower is lighting up the darkness.
Nationalisation suggested to save Red Cross Museum
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The director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva is calling for a national debate on the institution's future.
Climate: 224 Swiss companies announce CO2 reduction targets
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A total of 224 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Tunisia continues along the rocky path of democratic progress
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Switzerland's ambassador to Tunisia sees important progress on human rights, democracy and the security situation in the North African country.
Swiss justice minister renews Tunisian cooperation deal
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Swiss Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga officially extended on Tuesday a cooperation agreement with the North African state.
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