EU Ambassador Expresses Openness to Modernizing Trade Agreements with Tunisia
The European Union Ambassador to Tunisia, Giuseppe Perroni, has expressed the EU's willingness to modernize trade agreements with Tunisia to adapt to geopolitical, economic, and legislative developments. During a meeting with the President of the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts (UTICA), Samir Majoul, the Ambassador emphasized that the current trade agreement, concluded in 1995, belongs to the first generation and requires an update to strengthen sustainability and facilitate the integration of Tunisian companies into the European framework.
Key Points Discussed
- The EU delegation confirmed their willingness to work closely with UTICA to support Tunisian companies and accelerate their integration into the European system.
- The meeting aimed to strengthen economic relations and promote a renewed strategic partnership based on mutual interest and win-win cooperation.
- It was agreed to organize a bilateral session soon to examine the files in detail and establish common working mechanisms based on the spirit of partnership and integration.
Discussions and Agreements
The discussions highlighted the need to open an in-depth dialogue on several issues of common interest, including:
- Customs and non-customs barriers
- Sustainability and environmental compliance requirements
- Reducing carbon footprint
- The importance of preparing for the post-agreement phase while preserving the principle of cooperation beneficial to both parties and maintaining the common orientation towards global markets.
Sectoral Challenges
The EU representatives also addressed several specific sectoral challenges, including:
- The difficulties faced by the textile and clothing sector due to the erosion of preferential advantages resulting from EU partnership agreements with competing countries.
- The impact of the quota system on simple transformation operations, highlighting the need to eliminate all customs and non-customs barriers.
- The issue of olive oil, with a call to revise the annual quota granted to Tunisia and eliminate any ceiling limiting exports, to ensure free access to European markets without restrictions or customs duties.
Proposed Support Programs
A comprehensive support program for the date sector was proposed, including:
- Developing promotion and consumption methods
- Protecting small producers
- Strengthening export capacities
Other Key Issues
- The EU representatives discussed the difficulties and rights imposed on Tunisian exports of cereal derivatives, even European ones.
- The entry into force of the European carbon tax at the beginning of next year, which directly concerns Tunisian companies.
- The possibilities of partnership in modern technologies, including investment in data centers, information exchange, improvement of conformity certification mechanisms, and facilitation of free movement.
- The issue of manufactured products, with the finding of the absence of local laboratories for technical tests and the need for mechanisms to assist in obtaining conformity certificates, as well as the unification of accreditation procedures for export to several European markets.
Open Sky Agreement
The importance of the open sky agreement was emphasized, as it has a significant economic and financial impact. According to UTICA, its implementation could attract around one million additional tourists per year and strengthen activity in the tourism, handicraft, and related sectors.
Conclusion
The EU representatives insisted on the need for permanent dialogue to address strategic and sectoral challenges and consolidate economic and trade cooperation between Tunisia and Europe.
