EU Commission announces comprehensive cooperation package with Tunisia

TUNIS, Tunisia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday announced a comprehensive cooperation package with Tunisia.

“We are here as Team Europe to mark an important milestone in the relationship between the EU and Tunisia,” von der Leyen said in a statement following talks with Tunisian President Kais Saied, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

“We are working with Tunisia on a comprehensive 5-pillar package,” she added.

“We are considering up to €900 million macrofinancial assistance and up to €150 million in budget support,” von der Leyen said.

She added that the commission is also considering “increased trade and investment, mutually beneficial energy cooperation, addressing common migration challenges, and bringing our people together.”

In a statement, the European Commission said economic cooperation with Tunisia “will boost growth and prosperity through stronger trade and investment links, promoting opportunities for businesses including small and medium sized enterprises.”

“We believe there is enormous potential to generate tangible benefits for the EU and Tunisia,” the statement said.

“The EU and Tunisia share strategic priorities and in all these areas, we will gain from working together more closely,” it added.

The tripartite European delegation arrived in Tunisia earlier Sunday for an unannounced visit to discuss bilateral relations between the EU and Tunisia and issues of economic cooperation, energy and migration.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi