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Tunisia 
United Arab Emirates EU reiterates its unfailing support for Tunisia
September 16, 2016
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The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution on relations between the EU and Tunisia within the current regional context. In this long and detailed document, dated 14 September, the EP recommends deepening the partnership between the EU and Tunisia. The document contains 70 statements, proposals and recommendations concerning political reforms and institutions, economic and social development, security and defence, mobility, research, education and culture.
In the document, the EP renews its commitment to the Tunisian people and urges the Union and the Member States to mobilise and better coordinate technical and financial means to bring concrete aid to Tunisia. It considers that the situation in Tunisia requires the implementation of a ‘Marshall Plan’ to support democratic consolidation and facilitate investment and development in all sectors of economic and social life.
The EP expresses its concern about the current socioeconomic and budgetary difficulties that go hand-in-hand with the instability of a country in transition, and believes that it is essential that the budgetary authorities agree to reinforce the European Neighbourhood Instrument’s planned resources for Tunisia.
The resolution welcomes the implementation of an EU-Tunisia Joint Parliamentary Commission which will play a major role, allowing MEPs and Tunisian ministers to meet regularly and to establish a structured political dialogue on democracy, human rights, the rule of law and other topics of common interest.
The Parliament asks the Commission and the EEAS to continue supporting judicial reforms and the rule of law in Tunisia, providing technical and financial support to the implementation of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Constitutional Court.
On the economic front, the EP believes that the aid provided by the EU to Tunisia should be reinforced under the European Neighbourhood Instrument. Civil society, the local authorities and other major stakeholders should be involved in the process of determining funding priorities at the ENI mid-term review. In addition, the resolution welcomes the draft 2016-2020 strategic development plan and recommends its rapid implementation. It supports the efforts made by the Tunisian public authorities to modernise and liberalise the economy in order to meet new demands at the national, regional and international levels.
It welcomes the launch of the project “youth mobility, food safety and reduction of poverty in the rural sector” by the Agency for the Promotion of Agricultural Investments, which aims at fighting youth unemployment. It recommends reinforcing the fight against corruption in order to establish a more favourable environment to investments and companies.
The Parliament is concerned about the sustainability of Tunisian debt and advises to convert debt into investment projects. It also asks the EU Member States to determine a means to guarantee the rescheduling of Tunisian debt on preferential terms.
Furthermore, the resolution advises the Union to better focus its cooperation on green economy and sustainable development and to develop the use of renewable energy and better wastewater and waste treatment.
It expresses its deep concern over the direct repercussions of the instability in Libya on security in Tunisia and acknowledges that terrorism is a shared challenge that calls for a joint response. It calls for more efficient youth integration in order to allow them them to find a steady job and avoid being recruited by terrorist organisations. But it is also deeply concerned with the law concerning the fight against terrorism that provides for the death penalty. The EP believes that this law may result in serious civil liberties violations and calls on the Tunisian authorities to keep respecting the moratorium on the death penalty.
In terms of mobility, the EP welcomes the mobility partnership signed between the EU and Tunisia and urges the Tunisian authorities to cooperate closely in the fight against organised illegal immigration. It also welcomes the EU-Tunisia partnership in research and innovation and recommends the development of other partnerships in culture, sports, education, community life, and audio-visual media. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
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Relations between the EU and Tunisia – Factsheet
Countries covered:
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Tunisia
