Brussels, 01/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - During a visit to Tunis on Thursday where he was received by the interim prime minister, Stefan Füle said he was determined to give his full support to Tunisia and work towards the “reprogramming” of his external aid. According to the official press agency, the European commissioner for European neighbourhood policy and enlargement said financial aid to Tunisia for the years 2012-2013 will be doubled and released this year. He explained that the aid will be used to strengthen civil society and promote economic and social development of the disadvantaged regions in the centre and south of Tunisia. “The EU is willing to help Tunisia successfully hold elections for the constituent Assembly”, the European commissioner said, adding it was essential that these elections should be held in a “transparent, free and democratic” manner.
Stefan Füle pointed out that €17 million, to be made immediately available, had been announced in February. He said part of that aid had already been disbursed, and that experts were on the spot to “strengthen the Tunisian electoral framework”. Civil society and media support programmes are also in progress. These include support for several Tunisian NGOs, including the Tunisian league of human rights and women's associations, as well as an aid project for Tunisian media, especially through training programmes. Füle asserted that the largest part of the funding has been allocated to the development of disadvantaged regions within the country. All this is only a beginning and, he said, “we are ready to do much more”. However, he went on to say, it is too soon to speak of future amounts, as these will depend on concrete reforms for which Tunisia will be calling upon us for support. By way of example, he said: “We have planned to spend €160 million in Tunisia in 2012 and 2013. In the best case scenario, in line with ambitious reforms launched by the government chosen by the Tunisians, I might envisage doubling these amounts. And funding might be partially allocated this year”. (F.B./transl.jl)