Brussels, 17/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - Not everyone in Tunisia sees the prospect of a privileged partnership (“advanced status”, according to its original name) in the same way. Some analysts have doubts about binding this country to an agreement, which presupposes firm commitment that a transitional government would be ill advised to undertake.
On 13 June, the EU, through its delegation in Tunis, helped to organise a seminar to clarify bilateral relations. The European ambassador, Laura Baeza, acknowledged that “it is perfectly natural and understandable that the privileged partnership undertaken by the EU and Tunisia for the coming years is subject to question and requests for transparency and participation”. “We proposed, and Tunisia accepted (at the most recent Association Council in November 2012), an incentive-based approach founded on mutual responsibility where the level of ambition for our relationship and the support we make available would depend essentially on the extent to which we share the same values in terms of democracy and human rights, respect for the rule of law and good governance”.
The ambassador explained that, “following months of intensive discussion and negotiation, we have agreed an 'action plan' with the Tunisian authorities, which paves the way for a privileged partnership between Tunisia in the EU and outlines the parameters for the 2013-2017 period”. According to Baeza, this is a “non-binding political document” which “sets out the objectives to be attained” and which constitutes “a deep and reciprocal political commitment with a view to Tunisia's integration into the European internal market”. The ambassador said that this was a tool and “it is quite understandable that this tool has not always been understood very well, either in Tunisia or in Europe. What is essential, however, is to try and understand and therefore explain clearly… no tool is an end in itself, simply a means”.
Ignacio Garcia Bercero, director for trade attended the seminar and explained what the objective of a deep and comprehensive free-trade agreement (DCFTA) represents. He said that this agreement should go “beyond simply liberalising trade and lifting customs duties and promote closer economic integration, reduce the number of non-tariff barriers, liberalise services and increase investment protection. Future negotiations should also complement the association agreement with liberalisation of trade in agricultural and processed products”. (FB/transl.fl)