Brussels, 17/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Trade and investment may not hold the most important positions in the primarily socio-political change taking place in Tunisia but they have a role to play in the country's transition to democracy, according to Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, who promised support from the EU.
“You can already count on us, and let's make sure that all your country has achieved in economic terms, which promised so much, is maintained”, De Gucht told movers and shakers in the Tunisian economy in a speech delivered at the Tunisian Investment Forum in Tunis on 17 June. The EU, Tunisia's main trade partner in terms of both imports and exports, “will abide by its commitments to Tunisia”, the commissioner promised, giving assurances that “bilateral economic and trade relations will form a key element of the transition which is taking place, provided that, alongside, there is sound domestic economic governance and reforms, and that the rule of law is guaranteed for economic operators”. Under the terms of the European Council guidelines of 11 March on future relations with the countries of the southern rim of the Mediterranean, market access will be extended and will be accompanied by a differentiated approach which will depend on the extent of progress towards change that partner countries make, De Gucht noted. As soon as the situation allows, the EU will propose swift resumption of the negotiations, which had been virtually concluded before the events of January, on liberalising trade in agricultural produce, the launch of talks on an agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products, which will give Tunisia greater access to the EU market for its products, and speeding up of negotiations on liberalising trade in services and the right of establishment. On the regional level, the commissioner spoke of the decision taken by the Council in April to sign the Euro-Mediterranean convention on the cumulation of preferential rules of origin, something which is of great interest to Tunisia because of its textile industry. He raised the possibility of EIB support, after the €1 billion increase in FEMIP (Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and Partnership) funding, and of the involvement of the EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) in the region.
In the longer term, as part of a revised neighbourhood policy, the EU will offer Tunisia the opportunity to move to a full free-trade zone, “which could lead to growing economic involvement in the EU internal market”. “This will mean, depending on Tunisia's commitment and the progress of reforms in the country, the existing association agreement will be transformed over time and its potential developed beyond simple free trade in industrial goods”, De Gucht said, stating that this agreement would include the removal of non-tariff trade barriers, and progressive harmonisation of plant health, intellectual property, competition and public procurement laws. (E.H./transl.rt)