(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, FEBRUARY 2 - Even at times of crisis,
the European Commission will do "everything in its power" to
give greater economic aid to Tunisia. This is the commitment
made today by the President of the European Commission, José
Manuel Barroso, after his meeting with the Prime Minister of the
"new" Tunisia, Hamadi Jebali. Jebali, who chose the European
capital as the destination for his first official visit abroad,
demanded "concrete support" from his interlocutors, from the
President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, to the EU
President, Herman Van Rompuy.
The President of the European Parliament ensured the support of the Strasbourg assembly, inviting G8 countries who attended Deauvile and EU member states to respect their economic commitments. "The EU must give its concrete support to Tunisia's economic recovery". The assets of the deposed President Ben Ali that are frozen Europe "belong to the Tunisian people", Schulz added. "If there are legal obstacles preventing them from being returned to the Tunisians, they must be eliminated".
"I am looking to the process of democratisation in Tunisia with confidence," said Van Rompuy, without mentioning the possibility of further aid. Barroso, meanwhile, said that as much as possible, in line with the budget, would be given once progress in reforms in the country has been ascertained. "In a clear and accurate report of progress in your country," the EU Commission President said, "the most we can do is to try to find further resources, because we understand the urgency in the social field. I can make commitments to this end". For now, though, the total of cooperation aid remains that announced previously: 400 million euros between 2011 and 2013.
The President of the EU Commisison presented to journalists a plan of action for the next few months in bilateral relations between the EU and Tunisia. "The priorities are clear," Barroso said. "To open talks on privileged partnership, the liberalisation of agricultural products and fishing, a free trade deal, with the aim of a common economic space. Among other things," he added, we will open dialogue on immigration and mobility and we will hold talks on the liberalisation of the air travel sector, which is important for tourism". On this front, Barroso said that he was the "spokesperson for the message of hospitality from the Tunisian government," saying that "Tunisia, with its Arab hospitality, welcomes everyone who visits the country".
"We attach a great deal of importance to this alliance with Europe," Jebali said, adding that he had obtained "positive results" form the visit, "even though the economic situation cannot allow greater efforts". Jebali also said that a plan was on the way to tackle the employment emergency in the country, with training programmes and "the creation of small companies with cash injections from the government in order to create jobs". "This is normal," Jebali said, "because we are at a stage of reviving the economy. We need time, but young people can no longer wait". (ANSAmed).
The President of the European Parliament ensured the support of the Strasbourg assembly, inviting G8 countries who attended Deauvile and EU member states to respect their economic commitments. "The EU must give its concrete support to Tunisia's economic recovery". The assets of the deposed President Ben Ali that are frozen Europe "belong to the Tunisian people", Schulz added. "If there are legal obstacles preventing them from being returned to the Tunisians, they must be eliminated".
"I am looking to the process of democratisation in Tunisia with confidence," said Van Rompuy, without mentioning the possibility of further aid. Barroso, meanwhile, said that as much as possible, in line with the budget, would be given once progress in reforms in the country has been ascertained. "In a clear and accurate report of progress in your country," the EU Commission President said, "the most we can do is to try to find further resources, because we understand the urgency in the social field. I can make commitments to this end". For now, though, the total of cooperation aid remains that announced previously: 400 million euros between 2011 and 2013.
The President of the EU Commisison presented to journalists a plan of action for the next few months in bilateral relations between the EU and Tunisia. "The priorities are clear," Barroso said. "To open talks on privileged partnership, the liberalisation of agricultural products and fishing, a free trade deal, with the aim of a common economic space. Among other things," he added, we will open dialogue on immigration and mobility and we will hold talks on the liberalisation of the air travel sector, which is important for tourism". On this front, Barroso said that he was the "spokesperson for the message of hospitality from the Tunisian government," saying that "Tunisia, with its Arab hospitality, welcomes everyone who visits the country".
"We attach a great deal of importance to this alliance with Europe," Jebali said, adding that he had obtained "positive results" form the visit, "even though the economic situation cannot allow greater efforts". Jebali also said that a plan was on the way to tackle the employment emergency in the country, with training programmes and "the creation of small companies with cash injections from the government in order to create jobs". "This is normal," Jebali said, "because we are at a stage of reviving the economy. We need time, but young people can no longer wait". (ANSAmed).
