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 European Union |  Tunisia |
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Tunisia–European Union relations are the foreign relations between the country ofTunisia and theEuropean Union.[1]
The EU is Tunisia's largest trading partner. More than 75% of Tunisia's exports go to the EU and more than half of Tunisia's imports come from the EU. The total trade in goods between the EU and Tunisia in 2017 amounted to €20.5 billion.[2]
Tunisia receives some of the largest amount of money from theEuropean Neighborhood Instrument out of all the participating countries with a "focus on different sectors such as the economy and the business environment; education, training and research; culture and media; migration and asylum; justice, freedom and security; environment,climate change and energy.".[3] In addition to funding for migrant relief, Tunisia benefits from several other EU funding projects such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights, Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, and the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI).[4] Tunisia is also a member of the Erasmus+ program and an associate member of Horizon 2020.[5] Flows of foreign direct investment to Tunisia are also concentrated on the development of the infrastructure network as well as of the textiles and clothing sectors.[6]
In July 2023, Tunisia and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding to boost economic partnership and reduce immigration from Tunisia to Europe.[7] In September it was announced that as part of the agreement a payment of 127 million euros would be disbursed to Tunisia.[8] A month later however, Tunisia returned 60 million euros back to the EU due to disagreements over the deal.[9]
The European Commission is withholding findings from a human rights inquiry into Tunisia, raising concerns over transparency in relation to a controversial EU-Tunisia migration deal amid ongoing reports of abuses against migrants.[10]
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1976 | TheEuropean Economic Community formally starts working diplomatic relations with Tunisia.[11] |
| 1995 | AnAssociation Agreement is signed between the EU and Tunisia.[12] |
| 14 July 1998 | The first meeting of the EU-Tunisia Association Council is held.[13] |
| 2012 | APrivileged Partnership is established following the aftermath of theTunisian Revolution.[14] Since 2011, EU assistance to Tunisia has increased dramatically. |
| 3 March 2014 | The EU and Tunisia establish a Mobility Partnership in response to themigrant crisis, including "simplifying procedures for granting visas".[15] |
| 13 October 2015 | Negotiations for aDeep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Tunisia begin.[16] |
| 29 September 2016 | The EU issues a Joint CommunicationStrengthening EU support for Tunisia.[17] |
| 1 December 2016 | The European Union and Tunisia launch the EU-Tunisia Youth Partnership.[18] |
| 16 July 2023 | The EU and Tunisia sign a Memorandum of Understanding on a strategic and global partnership.[7] |
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