Considerations on JOIN(2018)9 - EU position with regard to the adoption of the document: ‘Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020’

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dossier JOIN(2018)9 - EU position with regard to the adoption of the document: ‘Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic ...
document JOIN(2018)9 EN
date September 18, 2018
 
table>(1)The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part (1) (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Euro-Mediterranean Agreement’) was signed on 17 July 1995 and entered into force on 1 March 1998.
(2)Article 80 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement gives the Association Council, established under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, the power to take decisions it considers appropriate for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the Agreement.

(3)In accordance with Article 90 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement, the parties are to take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement and are to see to it that the objectives set out therein are attained.

(4)The Joint Communication from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and from the European Commission of 18 November 2015 on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy was welcomed in the Council Conclusions of 14 December 2015. The Council confirmed in particular its intention to start a new phase of engagement with its partners in 2016 which could lead to the setting of new partnership priorities, where appropriate, focused on agreed priorities and interests.

(5)The Joint Communication from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and from the European Commission of 29 September 2016 on Strengthening EU support to Tunisia was welcomed in the Council Conclusions of 17 October 2016. The Council reiterates its commitment to supporting Tunisia's transition and underlines the exceptional nature of the situation in Tunisia and the EU's strategic interest in supporting the emergence of a democratic, strong and stable Tunisia in its neighbourhood, as well as the need to support political progress with economic progress on a similar scale. To that end, it calls for the mobilisation of all the instruments available to the EU and the reinforced commitment of the EU and Member States in close collaboration with the Tunisian authorities.

(6)The Union and the Republic of Tunisia should work together in order to achieve their common objective as defined under the strategic priorities. The development of a prosperous and stable democratic Tunisia is of mutual strategic interest.

(7)While addressing the most urgent challenges, the Union and the Republic of Tunisia should continue to pursue the main objectives of their long-term partnership, and to work in particular towards creating future prospects for young people, speeding up socio-economic reforms and continuing and strengthening the process of transition to democracy.

(8)The position of the Union within the Cooperation Council with regard to the adoption of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020 should be based on the attached draft Decision,