Tunisia

EU and Tunisia

Relations between the EU and Tunisia are based on the Association Agreement signed in 1995. 

EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding

On 16 July 2023, the EU and Tunisia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic and Global Partnership between the European Union and Tunisia (MoU), launching a new Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership and aiming at implementing a comprehensive partnership package, giving a new impetus to their relations. 

The Partnership covers 5 pillars of cooperation: macroeconomic stability, economy and trade, green energy transition, people-to-people contacts, and migration and mobility. The MoU provides a comprehensive framework and tools for the Commission to support Tunisia in addressing a number of current challenges, including macro-economic stability and migration management, as well as seizing cooperation opportunities in sectors of joint interest. 

Bilateral cooperation

On 9 February 2021, the European Commission adopted a Joint Communication on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, establishing a new Agenda for the Mediterranean to relaunch and reinforce the EU’s partnership with the region. This is the basis of the cooperation framework between the EU and Tunisia.

EU assistance to Tunisia is mainly funded through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - Global Europe (NDICI-GE) for the period 2021-2027.  From 2021 to 2024, bilateral assistance to the country amounted to €620 million.

The Joint Communication on the renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood is accompanied by a Economic and Investment Plan for the Southern Neighbours Neighbourhood (EIP) to strengthen resilience and build prosperity in the region. The EIP implements the Global Gateway in the region. EIP projects implemented in Tunisia include:

• Green and digitally-fit schools, improving learning and teaching conditions for children enrolled in primary education all over the country, by building new primary schools and purchasing transport means and digital equipment
• ELMED submarine electricity interconnection,deploying 220 km of undersea cable between Tunisia and Italy to develop cross-border trade of electricity and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 200 tonnes each year and the deployment of renewables in Tunisia
• Strengthening Food Resilience, mitigating the disruption of grain supply and of the food crisis generated by the Russian aggression in Ukraine by supporting the State-owned Cereals Office (ODC) in purchasing grain and modernising cereal storage and transport systems.

More on EU-Tunisia relations: Factograph - EU-Tunisia relations - European Commission

Further information

Factsheets available to download