Commissioner Füle: Tunisia the best example of 'more for more'

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Commissioner Füle: Tunisia the best example of 'more for more'

10-07-2012

"Tunisia is the best and most tangible example of how the 'more for more' principle works in support of democratic transformation in our neighbourhood," Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood policy Štefan Füle said yesterday in Tunis, where he reiterated the EU's commitment to Tunisia, signing two financing agreements with the government, worth €27 million, in the fields of civil society and services sector competitiveness.

"We want to see your transformation succeed," he said in the meeting with the Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali. "We stand ready to facilitate the economic and social development in your country, to accompany the process of strengthening the democracy and to support your reforms," Füle added.

The Commissioner recalled the 'more for more' principle of the renewed European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) under which the EU increases its help and assistance to those neighbours who are engaged in democratic and economic reforms. "In Tunisia, we have already provided €400 million within two years instead of the €240 million planned for three years," Commissioner Füle said and commended his Tunisian counterparts for the achievements made in the transition since the revolution 18 months ago.

At the same time, he stressed the need to continue to take steps to consolidate the process of transformation and to carry on with reforms so that the citizens see the progress and the changes they were calling for during the revolution. "To achieve the goals of the revolution requires time, dedication, strong will and also patience. The experience from some of the newer EU Member States shows that thorough transformation from an autocratic system to a deep and sustainable democracy can take years," he noted.

During his visit, Commissioner Füle signed two financing agreements with the government worth €27 million to support programmes for civil society and for services sector competitiveness. Later on, at a meeting with the representatives of over a dozen of non-governmental organisations, he signed three grant contracts worth over €2 million for different projects, underlining the EU's engagement with civil society.

Commissioner Füle also discussed the EU's support for Tunisia and the transformation process in the country with President of the Constituent Assembly, Mustafa Ben Jaafar, State Secretary for Europe Touhami Abdouli, a group of members of the parliament and representatives of the business community. (EU Neighbourhood Info)

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Press release

Commissioner's remarks at press conference in Tunis

Article by the Commissioner on Tunisia's transformation and EU's support

EU Delegation press release – Commissioner signs financing agreements to support programmes for civil society and for services sector competitiveness (FR)

EU Delegation press release – Commissioner meets civil society representatives and signs three grant contracts (FR)

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Tunisia 2011: a radical transformation in perspectives for relations with the EU (28-05-12)

Tunisia 2011 ENP Progress Report and memo (FR only)

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre country page Tunisia

EU Delegation – Tunisia

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