The 13th session of the EU-Tunisia Association Council was held today in Brussels. On this occasion, the two parties noted with satisfaction the progress achieved since the 12th session held on 18 April 2016, in terms of the implementation of the Privileged Partnership Action Plan for 2013-2017.

The EU and Tunisia agreed on the importance of making progress in identifying a new framework for the future Partnership to replace the current Action Plan for a Privileged Partnership (2013-2017), to define priorities that reflect the scale and the depth of the privileged relations, and to meet their ambitions for the future.

The two sides had an exchange of views at high level on regional issues of common interest, in particular the situation in Libya. They noted with satisfaction the marked improvement in the security situation in Tunisia and emphasised the progress achieved in their bilateral cooperation in the field of security and the fight against terrorism.

Noting the opportunities and challenges posed by migration, the EU and Tunisia reiterated their wish to define together a common vision for the proper management of migration flows within their Mobility Partnership.

The 13th session of the Association Council provided an opportunity to identify concrete bilateral actions in the priority areas of youth and of economic development:

Youth Partnership

As part of the implementation of the ‘EU-Tunisia Youth Partnership’ initiative launched on 1 December 2016, the two parties agreed on priority themes such as: youth employability; education in the wider sense; the participation of young people in public and political life and the strengthening of links between young Tunisians and Europeans.

Partnership for Growth

In an enhanced effort to promote trade and investment and with the aim of supporting the Tunisian government’s efforts for its economic transition, the two sides discussed the main thrusts of the ‘Partnership for Growth’ announced in the Joint EU Communication on ‘Strengthening EU support for Tunisia’. They also pledged to strengthen their economic and trade relations and reaffirmed their commitment to continuing negotiations on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA).

In the margins of the Association Council’s work, the two parties signed:

• an agreement on Tunisia’s participation in the European programme to support the cultural and creative sectors entitled ‘Creative Europe’;
• a financial Convention for the ‘Integrated Local Development Pilot Initiative’. With a grant of EUR 60 million, this initiative aims to support the government’s efforts in the decentralisation process aimed at reducing inequalities in regional development.

Read more

Joint Declaration

Meeting between High Representative Mogherini and Tunisia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Khémaies Jhinaoui

Relations between the EU and Tunisia – Factsheet

EU cooperation with Tunisia

Q&A: Supporting Tunisia’s transition: a strategic priority for the EU

EU Delegation to Tunisia – website and Facebook page