Brussels, 27/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - Hamadi Jebali, Tunisia's Prime Minister, is to make a working visit to the European Commission on Tuesday 2 October. This will be his second visit since he took up office (see EUROPE 10546), after that of February this year. The Commission had affirmed its resolve to support the Tunisian revolution, including through urgent measures of an economic and financial kind and through support for democratic transition. These pledges were reiterated by Stefan Füle during his visit to Tunis in July (EUROPE 10692).
In preparation for the visit and during talks for a reinforced action plan for advanced status, a mission, conducted by Hugues Mingarelli, Director General responsible for the Mediterranean at the Commission, has been in Tunis since 24 September. The country's media report that the EU has earmarked aid of €400 million for Tunisia over two years (2011 and 2012). This is double the amount initially earmarked for three years, €240 million. Nonetheless, it remains far below that granted to Egypt and, above all, is well below the needs of Tunisia, the Tunisian press states.
Seen from Brussels, the climate of political instability that currently reigns in Tunisia does not favour stronger support. The 24 October deadline, the time limit set for the constituent assembly formed after the elections one year earlier for adopting a new fundamental law for the country, would place the current Islamist-dominated government and the assembly legally “out of the running”, according to several analysts including the leader of the democratic opposition, Beiji Caïd Essebsi, Prime Minister for Transition. One of the concerns expressed in the country relates to the organisation of new elections, planned for next spring. The government and the parliament of Tunisia are openly accused of stalling for time and do not seem to be able to finalise the text of the Constitution, or to ensure the country's security, which is the condition for sustainable recovery of economic activity, especially recovery of the tourist industry. The electoral process had enjoyed strengthened support from the European institutions, i.e. the European Commission and the European Parliament. (FB/transl.jl)