Further macro-financial assistance to Tunisia

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Marielle DE SARNEZ (EPP, FR) on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing further macro-financial assistance to Tunisia.

The committee recomended that the European Parliament should adopt its position at first reading taking over the Commission proposal.

To recall, the proposal seeks to provide further macro-financial assistance to Tunisia which is currently going through very great difficulties.

Despite all these challenges, Tunisia continues to make very significant progress, firmly establishing democratic transition in the country, carrying out the reforms needed to modernise its economy and bolstering its relations with its partners, in particular the European Union, with which it is currently negotiating a free-trade agreement. This is why Members support the proposal for a second MFA programme for Tunisia, totalling EUR 500 million, which will be granted in the form of medium-term financial-market loans on advantageous conditions. This assistance programme will back up the efforts made by Tunisia to improve its budgetary position and balance of payments and bring about a climate more conducive to investment. Members fully endorse this proposal.