MEMO/11/652
Brussels, 29 September 2011
First Tunisia-EU Task Force meeting: summary of key deliverables
Political
Tunisia will be the First country to host a taskforce meeting, reflecting its leading role in the Arab Spring.
Formal negotiations between Tunisia and the EU to establish a 'Privileged Partnership' (Advanced Status) on 30 September 2011.
Asset recovery
EU will establish an asset recovery support team with experts in Tunis and Brussels to facilitate information sharing with Member-States and Tunisian Government.
High level workshop in November in Brussels with participation of World Bank experts from the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) and key stakeholders.
Short-term economic support
The international community has collectively put together a one-billion euro support programme to relaunch the Tunisian economy.
EU contribution is 100 million in grants, which will be formally signed in Tunis, and includes the first disbursement from the SPRING programme (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth).
EU will also fund a separate 57 million euro project in the water sector to promote sustainable development in rural areas. This will also be signed in Tunis.
Commission will launch 20 million euro project for impoverished areas to rehabilitate 100 poor areas and provide micro-credits for around 40,000 people.
Overall Commission support for Tunisia has doubled since the revolution from 80 to 160 million Euros in 2011 (plus a further 80 million Euros humanitarian assistance), and will reach 400 million over the period 2011-2013.
Medium term measures for growth and jobs
EIB will boost lending in Tunisia by 60%, from 470 to 800 million euro in 2011.
This will include a 130 million euro to support investment by SMEs.
Commission will launch 60 million euro project for job creation in 2012 and will work with Member-States to boost training and apprenticeship opportunities.
EBRD will begin first operations later this year, with 20 million Euros in support from the EU Neighbourhood Investment Facility.
Opening of Markets
Restarting of negotiations to liberalise trade in agriculture
Launching a Deep and Comprehensive FTA (DCFTA) once Council agrees mandate
Start discussions on an Air Services Agreement to boost travel
Promoting mobility and civil society
Launch of negotiations on Mobility Partnerships: the first in Southern Mediterranean
Increased funding for students (Erasmus) and Universities (Tempus)
Launch of the 22 million euro civil society initiative for the European Neighbourhood
Follow-up
An EU-Tunisia Association Committee will follow-up task force recommendations
Close co-operation with Deauville Partnership will continue
A second meeting of the EU-Tunisia Taskforce will take place in first half of 2012
