Tunisia, EU stress common engagement to build deeper partnership

Tunisia and the European Union (EU) stressed their "common engagement on special partnership and the work ahead to build a deeper cooperation, reflecting the exception of the Tunisian transition and the shared ambition to intensify co-operation relations in all fields".

    A joint declaration by Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jhinaoui and European Union High Representative Federica Mogherini, published Monday on the Tunisia-European Union Association Council in Luxembourg, stressed that "the revised European neighbourhood policy will help better meet the aspirations (of the two sides), by establishing a framework conducive to boosting Tunisia-EU privileged partnership".

    Tunisia continues with courage and determination its progress on the path of democracy and socio-economic reforms essential for its success, the declaration said, according to Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP).

    On terrorism, the joint declaration underlines that terrorism "which has heavily hit Tunisia and Europe in 2015 and in 2016, requires a more concerted holistic response that addresses the root causes of this phenomenon and be faithful to the values of democracy and respect of human rights".

    Tunisia's socio-economic situation requires new and urgent initiatives, along with considerable support from its partners, the declaration indicates, adding that the EU will use all the necessary tools likely to promote the socio-economic reforms intended to provide to the Tunisians, in particular to youth, job-generating opportunities, social progress and investments and reduce regional disparities.

    Emphasis was placed, in this respect, "on the importance of gradual integration of the Tunisian economy in the EU domestic market for the socio-economic development of the country". The declaration further said: "to meet the challenges of the crucial period the country is going through, the international community has to increase its support to Tunisia.

Source:QNA