On Thursday 1 December, the respective presidents of the European Council, European Commission and European Parliament, Donald Tusk Jean-Claude Junker and Martin Schulz, solemnly reaffirmed the support of the European Union for Tunisia. The EU leaders explained that in addition to the fact that the country was currently in “democratic transition” and providing “a model”, it was also celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first comprehensive cooperation agreement with Europe. The solemn statement was made during the visit of the Tunisian President, Benji Caid Essebsi (see EUROPE 11680), to Brussels.
In a joint press release, the EU leaders made Tunisia “one of the priorities” in EU external policy. European aid has doubled since 2011 and the respective leaders pointed out that there is, “a determination to step up the strategic relationship another notch” (see EUROPE 11635).
European support will help “stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment, particularly among young people” as well as compensate for “regional disparities”. The EU “will support Tunisia in the negotiation and implementation of the Free-Trade Agreement by drawing on targeted measures”. Negotiations on this agreement have created concerns in the country, particularly among sections of civil society (see EUROPE 11545).
Tunisian civil society is an issue that is a particular focus of the EU in its relations with the country. The youth in the country is specifically targeted and in this regard, an EU/Tunisia Youth Partnership will be launched. “Employment initiatives and programmes, professional training, mobility, culture, studies and research supporting Tunisian youth” as well as “exchanges between universities” have also been announced. “Every year, 1500 students and young people, as well as university personnel, will be able to benefit from European programmes such as Erasmus+”.
Dialogue on migration. Tusk, Juncker and Schulz also say that they are “prepared to commit to a general dialogue on migration and mobility related questions”. They also point out that Tunisia and the EU “are facing the terrorist threat together”. Security cooperation has already begun and will be the subject of a second session in Brussels on 19 January 2017 as part of the “high-level political dialogue on security and the fight against terrorism”.
It should also be pointed out that the declaration highlights “the relevance of the Tunisia-Italy ‘ELMED’ electricity inter-connection project as part of energy policy in Tunisia and its integration into the Euro-Mediterranean electricity market”. (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)