Brussels, 12/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - At the end of the Tunisia/EU Association Council on 11 May in Brussels, the Spanish secretary of state for European affairs, Diego Lopez Garrido, announced the setting up of a workgroup as part of a perspective to grant Tunisia “advanced status” with the EU. Although no timetable was established, the end of the year was mentioned. Tunisia would therefore join Morocco, which, at the moment, is the only country in the region to enjoy this status.
Strengthening relations is a “priority”, underlined Stefan Füle, the European commissioner for enlargement and neighbourhood policy. According to the latter, the ad hoc group would work on a roadmap, “which would lead us to the advanced status”, with increased political dialogue and a more comprehensive free trade agreement, etc. The commissioner is hoping that the work in this workgroup and subgroups examining the different aspects of cooperation will begin in June, if possible. He explained that “we don't have any specific deadline” for the results of the group's work but said that he hoped that they would be able to achieve a result “this year”. For the subject matter, there will be “no taboos” and they will discuss all subjects, including human rights and fundamental freedoms. “After all, there is a shared agreement that advanced status brings an advanced commitment”, pointed out the commissioner.
Kamel Morjane, the Tunisian minister for foreign affairs, provided assurances that “our relations (Ed: with the EU) are not circumstances but a strategic choice for the future of Tunisia”. Questioned by the press with regard to the scope of the political reforms envisaged in Tunisia for responding to European expectations, the minister praised the progress already accomplished by his country in this domain. “Our request to attain advanced status with the EU is an incentive for Tunisia's commitment along the path of political reforms, a commitment that did not just begin today”, explained the minister who referred to the programme of President Ben Ali for 2009-2014, which outlines 600 objectives to accomplish, including a significant number of political reforms. The Tunisian minister added that “we will continue to work for more freedom, more democracy, in a thought out and safe way, that enables our country to advance, as it has done for around 20 years”. (A.B./transl.fl)