Brussels, 16/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 16 November, the European Commission announced the payment of the second tranche (€100 million) of macro-financial assistance to Tunisia. This support, provided in the form of a loan, was approved in May 2014 and is part of the total €300 million to be paid in three tranches, conditional upon Tunisia's implementation of EU-requested reforms.
The Commission stated that this assistance “contributes to the accomplishment of the adjustment programme and of the economic reforms agreed between Tunisia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in June 2013”. Payment of the assistance is “subject to the implementation of a number of economic policy measures provided for in the protocol agreement”.
European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Pierre Moscovici said on this occasion that the EU “continues to support Tunisia in these difficult times”, although he thought that “the Tunisian economy has shown its resilience in the face of a difficult external economic climate and in the face of the repercussions of the tragic terrorist attacks”.
In a press release, the Commission also stated that this macro-financial assistance programme “is part of the wider efforts deployed by the EU and other international fund providers to help Tunisia overcome its economic difficulties”. This assistance is added “to other forms of support given to Tunisia by the EU, including over €800 million paid in the form of subsidies since the revolution of 2011, as well as significant loans granted by the European Investment Bank”. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)