In a joint press statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Tunisian President Saied, Dutch Prime Minister Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Meloni announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic and comprehensive partnership between the European Union and Tunisia. The leaders gathered in Tunis to commemorate the occasion and express their commitment to enhancing cooperation and prosperity between the two regions.
The partnership is built upon five key pillars aimed at strengthening various aspects of the EU-Tunisia relationship. The first pillar focuses on people-to-people connections, recognizing the importance of fostering exchanges and opportunities for young people. A Tunisia window will be established within the Erasmus+ program, providing EUR 10 million to support student exchanges. Additionally, “Talent Partnerships” will be created, offering Tunisian youth the chance to study, work, or train in the European Union, acquiring valuable skills for Tunisia’s economy. Furthermore, support will be given to modernize schools, with an emphasis on preparing for the digital and green transition through a EUR 65 million contribution from Team Europe.
The second pillar centers on economic development, with a commitment to building a resilient Tunisian economy that encourages growth and is better equipped to handle shocks. The EU has expressed readiness to provide macro-financial assistance and immediate budget support to Tunisia, contingent upon meeting certain conditions.
The third pillar focuses on investment and trade, recognizing the European Union as Tunisia’s largest foreign investor and trade partner. Both sides are eager to enhance the business environment and attract more private investments. To achieve this, an investment forum is planned for the autumn, bringing together investors and international financial institutions. Exploring the possibility of a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement and prioritizing investments in the digital sector are among the key goals. The Medusa submarine cable project, connecting Tunisia with Europe and receiving EUR 150 million in funding, and investments in water management and sustainable agriculture are notable initiatives.
Renewable energy takes center stage as the fourth pillar, acknowledging Tunisia’s potential in this sector and the European Union’s need for clean energy sources. Collaboration will focus on projects like ELMED, an undersea cable connecting Tunisia to Italy to supply electricity to Europe, with a EUR 300 million investment from the EU. A strategic partnership on energy will be established to accelerate the energy transition and create employment opportunities.
Lastly, the fifth pillar emphasizes the need for effective cooperation on migration. The recent tragic shipwreck served as a stark reminder of the urgency to combat criminal networks of smugglers and traffickers. The EU and Tunisia will collaborate on an Anti-Smuggling Operational Partnership, enhance coordination on search and rescue operations, and strengthen border management efforts while respecting international law. The EU will allocate over EUR 100 million for these endeavors. The partnership also aims to facilitate legal regular migration, including through Talent Partnerships.
The leaders expressed their satisfaction with the comprehensive package and stressed the importance of implementing it promptly to benefit the people on both sides of the Mediterranean. The partnership signifies a renewed commitment to a mutually beneficial and strategic relationship between the EU and Tunisia, with the shared goal of fostering prosperity, stability, and cooperation for future generations.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/STATEMENT_23_3870