Brussels, 28/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - During his visit to Brussels on Wednesday 27 May, Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid announced with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini the launch of negotiations in October for a free-trade agreement.
This agreement “will be beneficial for both parties”, Essid stated, adding nonetheless that “additional actions will doubtless be needed to avoid any negative effect”. Debate on this issue is ongoing in Tunisia, where consultations are taking place with professional bodies and civil society.
“I was delighted to hear his [Essid's] announcement that Tunisia is ready to launch negotiations on an ambitious partnership with the EU on trade and investment matters. This will be a major step towards progressively integrating Tunisia in the EU internal market and making Tunisia more attractive for investments. I will be glad to travel to Tunisia in the autumn to launch these negotiations with my Tunisian counterpart”, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström commented on her blog.
“Tunisia has always been a country at the forefront of Euro-Mediterranean trade relations”, Malmström added. The EU is Tunisia's main trading partner and main source of imports and exports. In 2014, total trade amounted to almost €20.34 billion. “The amount of trade between us has continued to grow ever since the entry into force of the association agreement between the EU and Tunisia in 1998, but much potential remains untapped”, Malmström continued.
On the political level, Mogherini and Essid both spoke of their satisfaction at the state of bilateral cooperation. Mogherini again reaffirmed the EU's support for the political transition process in Tunisia, promising further financial support of €70 million under the Umbrella programme. This will be added to the EU's €115 million annual programme for Tunisia, Mogherini stated.
On the economic level, Mogherini also announced that Tunisia would benefit from the Horizon 2020 programme on research. Essid underlined the advantage for his country in participating in European research programmes. Overall, there is a desire “to intensify relations with Tunisia”, to stand “alongside it for its transition to succeed” and to help it ensure its security, Mogherini stated.
With regard to security, Mogherini re-affirmed the EU's support to Tunisia in the fight against terrorism. “The EU stands alongside Tunisia against this common danger”, she said, adding that the 28 EU member states support strengthening the capacity of Tunisia's security forces - including stepping up the exchange of counter-terrorism intelligence.
In addition, Mogherini and Essid spoke about regional security and the situation in Libya. They affirmed that they held the same views on exiting the crisis in Tunisia - an exit which can only be political, Essid stated. (Emmanuel Hagry and Fathi B'Chir)