Brussels, 12/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - European Commission Vice-President with responsibility for Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani, who, along with Tunisian Industry Minister Mohammed Lamine Chakhari, signed an agreement on the conformity and certification of construction and electronic goods in Tunis on Tuesday of last week, has restated the commitment to give that country access to the European internal market. The first phase has begun; this paves the way for negotiations, and technical assistance will be provided to help conclude an agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (ACAA). A second phase, which will probably get underway at the end of 2012, will consolidate the Tunisian market and increase trade opportunities between the EU and Tunisia by ensuring compliance with European rules, Tajani said. The EU is determined to support the new Tunisia as best it can, so that it can gradually become part of the internal market.
Tajani and Chakhari announced at a press conference that Europe would be well represented at the “business crossroads” in Tunis in November. Tajani announced at the FEMIP conference the previous day that he intended to lead missions to a number of emerging countries, such as Brazil and China, and would begin in Tunisia.
Bernardino Leon, EU Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean Region, made clear European support for Tunisia. He was visiting Tunis at the same time as Tajani, and was received by a number of the country's leading figures. Similarly, EIB Vice-President Philippe de Fontaine Vive, who was already in Tunis to mark the 10th anniversary of the FEMIP, met Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali on Friday. The EIB will contribute to funding projects to develop Tunisia's gas resources and in the services sector, de Fontaine Vive said after his meetings which he described as “fruitful”. (FB/transl.rt)