On 1 & 2 October, the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, was in Tunis, to discuss progress under the Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership signed two years ago between the EU and Tunisia. There, she met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti, and the Minister of Economy and Planning Samir Abdelhafidh. This visit was an opportunity to discuss the upcoming Pact for the Mediterranean with the Tunisian authorities as well as the EU-Tunisia relations, and to meet with civil society representatives.

During the visit, Commissioner Šuica announced three cooperation agreements of a total amount of €60 million. These agreements will support food security and the economic empowerment of women in rural areas, fund the digitalisation of the public administration, and help Tunisia take part in EU programmes like Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and Creative Europe, strengthening links between Tunisian and European researchers, students, and young people.

The Commissioner witnessed the signature of a flagship project between European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and ‘Tunisie Telecom’ to accelerate Tunisia’s digital infrastructure deployment. She also attended the signature of an EU grant agreement of €12.5 million between the European Investment Bank and STEG, Tunisia’s state-owned electricity and gas operator. Finally, Commissioner Šuica visited the port of la Goulette, near Tunis, where the EU delivered two new boats for search and rescue to the Tunisian navy, as part of the EU-Tunisia comprehensive cooperation on migration management.

This was the first official visit of Commissioner Šuica to the country, which is a strategic partner for the EU. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. The EU-Tunisia Association Council will take place on 28 October.