Brussels, 19/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 18 December, the EU announced the disbursement of a €107 million donation to the Tunisian government. This comes on top of two loans from the World Bank and African Development Bank for $500 million from each institution.
In a press release, the European Commission explained that this was not part of its usual aid programme and that the amount would enable, “the government to balance its books to 2012 tackle the negative effects of the international crisis on of the Tunisian economy, as well as the instability that still exists in the country”. The press release explains that the EU has therefore decided to support the reforms being taken by the government to relaunch the economy and develop democratic institutions and the rule of law.
Schulz in Tunis. On Monday evening, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz asserted that, “Tunisia's stability is very important for Europe”. He made an official visit to the country on 18-19 December. In an opinions column published in the press, the president of the European Parliament attempted to provide reassurances to Tunisian citizens who have been concerned by attempts by the Islamists to take over parts of the state apparatus and declared that, “all democratic transition processes are fragile and full of uncertainties”.
Schulz affirmed that, “political stability, economic growth and shared prosperity are the best guarantees for permanently anchoring democracy into the daily lives of citizens”. He added that “Tunisia, just like its European neighbours, is unable to master global economic cycles. We all remain dependent on each other and our growth cycles can help to nourish each other mutually. However, going beyond economic and trade relations, we must never lose sight of the fact that our citizens on both sides of the Mediterranean will always be part of the same community and future”. He underlined the necessity of promoting the integration of Maghreb countries and explained that, “there is no doubt that an integrated Maghreb would become a substantial market that is more attractive to local and regional investors. The different forms and modalities that this integration process would assume cannot be imported from abroad but the European Union is ready to share its experience”. (FB/transl.fl)