WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/REG69/1
23 March 1999
(99-1153)
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements Original:  English/
French/
Spanish
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND TUNISIA
Communication from the Parties to the Agreement
The following text reproduces the Agreement1 between the European Communities and
Tunisia.
_______________
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
The Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Denm ark, the Federal Republic of Germany, the
Hellenic Republic, the Kingdom of Spain, the French Republic, Ireland, the Italian Republic, the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Austria, thePortuguese Republic, the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of Sweden, the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
Contracting Parties to the Treaty establishing the European Community and the Treaty establishing
the European Coal and Steel Community,
hereinafter referred to as the 'Member States`, andThe European Community, the European Coal and Steel Community , hereinafter referred to
as 'the Community',
of the one part, andThe Republic of Tunisia , hereinafter referred to as 'Tunisia',
of the other part,
                                                     
1 The Annexes and Protocols thereto have been submitted to the Secretariat for consultation by
interested Members (Office 3006).WT/REG69/1
Page 2
Considering  the importance of the existing traditional links between the Community, its
Member States and Tunisia and the common values that the Contracting Parties share;
Considering  that the Community, its Member States and Tunisia wish to strengthen those
links and to establish lasting relations, based on reciprocity, partnership and co-development;
Considering  the importance which the Parties attach to the principles of the United Nations
Charter, particularly the observance of human rights and political and economic freedom, which form
the very basis of the Association;
Considering  recent political and economic developments both on the European continent and
in Tunisia;
Considering  the considerable progress made by Tunisia and its people towards achieving their
objectives of full integration of the Tunisian economy in the world economy and participation in the
community of democratic nations;
Conscious  of the importance of this Agreement, based on cooperation and dialogue, for
lasting stability and security in the Euro-Mediterranean region;
Conscious , on the one hand, of the importance of relations in an overall Euro-Mediterranean
context and, on the other, of the objective of integration between the countries of the Maghreb;
Bearing in mind  the economic and social disparities between the Community and Tunisia and
desirous of achieving the objectives of this association through the appropriate provisions of this
Agreement;
Desirous  of establishing and developing regular political dialogue on bilateral and
international issues of mutual interest;
Taking account  of the Community's willingness to provide Tunisia with decisive support in
its endeavours to bring about economic reform, structural adjustment and social development;
Considering  the commitment of both the Community a nd Tunisia to free trade, in compliance
with the rights and obligations arising out of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT);
Desirous  of establishing cooperation sustained by regular dialogue on economic, social and
cultural issues in order to achieve better mutual understanding;
Convinced  that this Agreement will create a climate conducive to the development of their
economic relations, in particular in the fields of trade and investment, the key sectors for economic
restructuring and technological modernisation,
have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. An association is hereby established between the Community and its Member States, of the
one part, and Tunisia, of the other part.
2 The aims of this Agreement are to:WT/REG69/1
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- provide an appropriate framework for politic al dialogue between the Parties, allowing
the development of close relations in all areas they consider relevant to such dialogue,
- establish the conditions for the gradual liberalisation of trade in goods, services and
capital,
- promote trade and the expansion of harmonious economic and social relations
between the Parties, notably through dialogue and cooperation, so as to foster the
development and prosperity of Tunisia and its people,
- encourage integration of the Maghreb countries by promoting trade and cooperation
between Tunisia and other countries of the region,
- promote economic, social, cultural and financial cooperation.
Article 2
Relations between the Parties, as well as all the provisions of the Agreement itself, shall be
based on respect for human rights and democratic principles which guide their domestic and
international policies and constitute an essential element of the Agreement.
TITLE I
Political Dialogue
Article 3
1. A regular political dialogue shall be established between the Parties. It shall help build lasting
links of solidarity between the partners which will contribute to the prosperity, stability and security
of the Mediterranean region and bring about a climate of understanding and tolerance between
cultures.
2. Political dialogue and cooperation are intended in particular to:
(a) facilitate rapprochement between the Parties through the development of better
mutual understanding and regular coordination on international issues of common
interest;
(b) enable each Party to consider the position and interests of the other;(c) contribute to consolidating security and stability in the Mediterranean region and in
the Maghreb in particular;
(d) help develop joint initiatives.
Article 4
Political dialogue shall cover all issues of common interest to the Parties, in particular the
conditions required to ensure peace, security and regional development through support forcooperation, notably within the Maghreb group of countries.WT/REG69/1
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Article 5
Political dialogue shall be established at regular intervals and whenever necessary notably:(a) at ministerial level, principally within the Association Council(b) at the level of senior officials representing Tunisia, on the one hand, and the Council
Presidency and the Commission on the other;
(c) taking full advantage of all diplomatic channels including regular briefings,
consultations on the occasion of international meetings and contacts between
diplomatic representatives in third countries;
(d) where appropriate, by any other means which would make a useful contribution to
consolidating dialogue and increasing its effectiveness.
TITLE II
Free Movement of Goods
Article 6
The Community and Tunisia shall gradually establish a free trade area over a transitional
period lasting a maximum of 12 years starting from the date of the entry into force of this Agreement
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreem ent and in conformity with those of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 and the other multilateral Agreements on trade in goodsannexed to the Agreement establishing the WTO, hereinafter referred to as the GATT.
CHAPTER I
Industrial Products
Article 7
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to products originating in the Community and
Tunisia with the exception of the products referred to in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the
European Community.
Article 8
No new customs duties on imports nor charges having equivalent effect shall be introduced in
trade between the Community and Tunisia.
Article 9
Products originating in Tunisia shall be imported into the Community free of customs duties
and charges having equivalent effect and without quantitative restrictions or measures havingequivalent effect.WT/REG69/1
Page 5
Article 10
1. The provisions of this Chapter shall not preclude the retention by the Community of an
agricultural component on imports of the goods originating in Tunisia listed in Annex 1.  The
agricultural component shall reflect differences between the price on the Community market of the
agricultural products considered as being used in the production of such goods and the price of
imports from third countries where the total cost of the said basic products is higher in the
Community. The agricultural component may take the form of a fixed amount or an ad valorem duty.
Such differences shall be replaced, where appropriate, by specific duties based on tariffication of the
agricultural component or by ad valorem duties.  The provisions of Chapter 2 applicable to
agricultural products shall apply mutatis mutandis to the agricultural component.
2. The provisions of this Chapter shall not preclude the separate specification by Tunisia of an
agricultural component in the import duties in for ce on the products listed in Annex 2 originating in
the Community. The agricultural component may take the form of a fixed amount or an ad valorem
duty.  The provisions of Chapter 2 applicable to agricultural products shall apply mutatis mutandis to
the agricultural component.
3. In the case of the products shown in Annex 2, list 1, originating in the Community, Tunisia
shall apply upon the entry into force of this Agreement import duties and charges having equivalent
effect no greater than those in force on 1 January 1995, within the limits of the tariff quotas shown in
that list.  During elimination of the industrial component of the duties pursuant to paragraph 4, thelevel of the duties to be applied in respect of the products for which the tariff quotas are to be
abolished may not be higher than the level of the duties in force on 1 January 1995.
4. In the case of the products in Annex 2, list 2, originating in the Community, Tunisia shall
eliminate the industrial component of the duties in accordance with the provisions laid down in
Article 11 (3) of the Agreement in respect of products in Annex 4.   In the case of the products in
Annex 2, lists 1 and 3, originating in the Community , Tunisia shall eliminate the industrial component
of the duties in accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 11 (3)  of the Agreement in
respect of products in Annex 5.
5. The agricultural components applied pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 may be reduced where,
in trade between the Community and Tunisia, the charge applicable to a basic agricultural product isreduced or where such reductions are the result of mutual concessions relating to processed
agricultural products.
6. The reduction referred to in paragraph 5, the list of products concerned and, where
appropriate, the tariff quotas within which the reduction applies shall be established by theAssociation Council.
Article 11
1. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Tunisia of
products originating in the Community other than t hose listed in Annexes 3 to 6 shall be abolished
upon the entry into force of this Agreement.
2. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Tunisia of the
products originating in the Community listed in Annex 3 shall be progressively abolished inaccordance with the following timetable:
- On the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be
reduced to 85 per cent of the basic duty;WT/REG69/1
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- One year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 70 per cent of the basic duty;
- Two years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 55 per cent of the basic duty;
- Three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 40 per cent of the basic duty;
- Four years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 25 per cent of the basic duty;
- Five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement the remaining duties
shall be abolished.
3. Customs duties and charges having equivalent effect applicable on import into Tunisia of the
products originating in the Community listed in Annexes 4 and 5 shall be progressively abolished inaccordance with the following timetables:
In the case of the list appearing in Annex 4:- On the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge shall be
reduced to 92 per cent of the basic duty;
- One year after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 84 per cent of the basic duty;
- Two years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 76 per cent of the basic duty;
- Three years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 68 per cent of the basic duty;
- Four years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 60 per cent of the basic duty;
- Five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 52 per cent of the basic duty;
- Six years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 44 per cent of the basic duty;
- Seven years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 36 per cent of the basic duty;
- Eight years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 28 per cent of the basic duty;
- Nine years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 20 per cent of the basic duty;
- Ten years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 12 per cent of the basic duty;WT/REG69/1
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- Eleven years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 4 per cent of the basic duty;
Twelve years after the date of entry into for ce of this Agreement the remaining duties shall be
abolished.
In the case of the list appearing in Annex 5:- Four years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 88 per cent of the basic duty;
- Five years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 77 per cent of the basic duty;
- Six years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 66 per cent of the basic duty;
- Seven years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 55 per cent of the basic duty;
- Eight years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 44 per cent of the basic duty;
- Nine years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 33 per cent of the basic duty;
- Ten years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 22 per cent of the basic duty;
- Eleven years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement each duty and charge
shall be reduced to 11 per cent of the basic duty;
- Twelve years after the date of entry into force of this Agreement the remaining duties
shall be abolished.
4. In the event of serious difficulties for a given product, the relevant timetables in accordance
with paragraph 3 may be reviewed by the Association Committee by common accord on the
understanding that the schedule for which the review has been requested may not be extended in
respect of the product concerned beyond the maximum transitional period of 12 years.  If theAssociation Committee has not taken a decision within thirty days of its application to review the
timetable, Tunisia may suspend the timetable provisionally for a period which may not exceed one
year.
5. For each product the basic duty to which the successive reductions laid down in paragraphs 2
and 3 are to be applied shall be that actually applied vis-à-vis the Community on 1 January 1995.
6. If, after 1 January 1995, any tariff reduction is applied on an erga omnes basis, the reduced
duties shall replace the basic duties referred to in paragraph 5 as from the date when such reductions
are applied.
7. Tunisia shall communicate its basic duties to the Community.WT/REG69/1
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Article 12
The provisions of Articles 10, 11 and 19(b) shall not apply to products in the list appearing in
Annex 6. The arrangements to be applied to such products shall be re-examined by the Association
Council four years after the Agreement's entry into force.
Article 13
The provisions concerning the abolition of customs duties on imports shall also apply to
customs duties of a fiscal nature.
Article 14
1. Exceptional measures of limited duration which derogate from the provisions of Article 11
may be taken by Tunisia in the form of an increase or reintroduction of customs duties.  These
measures may only concern infant industries, or certain sectors undergoing restructuring or facing
serious difficulties, particularly where these difficulties produce major social problems.  Customsduties on imports applicable in Tunisia to products  originating in the Community introduced by these
measures may not exceed 25 per cent ad valorem and shall maintain an element of preference for
products originating in the Community. The total value of imports of the products which are subject to
these measures may not exceed 15 per cent of total imports of industrial products from the
Community during the last year for which statistics are available.  These measures shall be applied fora period not exceeding five years unless a longer duration is authorised by the Association
Committee. They shall cease to apply at the latest on the expiry of the maximum transitional period of
twelve years.  No such measures can be introduced in respect of a product if more than three years
have elapsed since the elimination of all duties and quantitative restrictions or charges or measures
having equivalent effect concerning that product.  Tunisia shall inform the Association Committee ofany exceptional measures it intends to take and, at  the request of the Community, consultations shall
be held on such measures and the sectors to which they apply before they are implemented.  When
taking such measures Tunisia shall provide the Committee with a timetable for the elimination of the
customs duties introduced under this Article. This timetable shall provide for a phasing-out of these
duties in equal annual instalments starting at the latest two years after their introduction.  The
Association Committee may decide on a different timetable.
2. By way of derogation from the fourth subparagraph of paragraph 1, the Association
Committee may exceptionally, in order to take account of the difficulties involved in setting up a new
industry, authorise Tunisia to maintain the measures already taken pursuant to paragraph 1 for a
maximum period of three years beyond the twelve-year transitional period.
CHAPTER II
Agricultural and Fishery Products
Article 15
The provisions of this Chapter shall apply to  the products originating in the Community and
Tunisia listed in Annex II to the Treaty establishing the European Community.WT/REG69/1
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Article 16
The Community and Tunisia shall gradually implement greater liberalisation of their
reciprocal trade in agricultural and fishery products.
Article 17
1. Agricultural and fishery products originating in Tunisia shall benefit on import into the
Community from the provisions set out in Protocols Nos 1 and 2 respectively.
2 Agricultural products originating in the Comm unity shall benefit on import into Tunisia from
the provisions set out in Protocol No 3.
Article 18
1. From 1 January 2000 the Community and Tunisia shall assess the situation with a view to
determining the liberalisation measures to be applied by the Community and Tunisia with effect from
1 January 2001 in accordance with the objective set out in Article 16.
2. Without prejudice to the provisions of the preceding paragraph and taking account of the
patterns of trade in agricultural products between the Parties and the particular sensitivity of suchproducts, the Community and Tunisia will examine on a regular basis in the Association Council,
product by product and on a reciprocal basis, the possibilities of granting each other further
concessions.
CHAPTER III
Common Provisions
Article 19
Without prejudice to the provisions of the GATT:(a) no new quantitative restriction on imports or measure having equivalent effect shall
be introduced in trade between the Community and Tunisia;
(b) quantitative restrictions on imports and measures having equivalent effect in trade
between Tunisia and the Community shall be abolished upon the entry into force of
this Agreement;
(c) the Community and Tunisia shall apply to the other's exports customs neither duties
or charges having equivalent effect nor quantitative restrictions or measures ofequivalent effect.
Article 20
1. Should specific rules be introduced as a result of implementation of their agricultural policies
or modification of their existing rules, or should the provisions on the implementation of their
agricultural policies be modified or developed, the Community and Tunisia may modify the
arrangements laid down in the Agreement in respect of the products concerned.   The Party carryingWT/REG69/1
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out such modification shall inform the Associati on Committee thereof. At the request of the other
Party, the Association Committee shall meet to ta ke appropriate account of that Party's interests.
2. If the Community or Tunisia, in applying paragraph 1, modifies the arrangements made by
this Agreement for agricultural products, they shall accord imports originating in the other Party anadvantage comparable to that provided for in this Agreement.
3. Any modification of the arrangements made by this Agreement shall be the subject, at the
request of the other Contracting Party, of consultations within the Association Council.
Article 21
Products originating in Tunisia shall not enjoy more favourable treatment when imported into
the Community than that applied by Member States among themselves.  The provisions of this
Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the pr ovisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1911/91
of 26 June 1991 on the application of the provisions of Community law to the Canary Islands.
Article 22
1. The two Parties shall refrain from any measures or practice of an internal fiscal nature
establishing, whether directly or indirectly, discrimination between the products of one Party and like
products originating in the territory of the other Party.
2. Products exported to the territory of one of the Parties may not benefit from repayment of
indirect internal taxation in excess of the amount of indirect taxation imposed on them directly or
indirectly.
Article 23
1. This Agreement shall not preclude the maintenance or establishment of customs unions, free
trade areas or arrangements for frontier trade insofar as they do not have the effect of altering the
trade arrangements provided for in this Agreement.
2. Consultations between the Parties shall take place within the Association Committee
concerning agreements establishing customs unions or free trade areas and, where appropriate, on
other major issues related to their respective trade policies with third countries. In particular in the
event of a third country acceding to the Community, such consultations shall take place so as to
ensure that account is taken of the mutual interests of the Community and Tunisia stated in this
Agreement.
Article 24
If one of the Parties finds that dumping is taking place in trade with the other Party within the
meaning of Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, it may take appropriatemeasures against this practice in accordance with the Agreement relating to the application of
Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, related internal legislation and the
conditions and procedures laid down in Article 27.
Article 25
Where any product is being imported in such increased quantities and under such conditions
as to cause or threaten to cause:WT/REG69/1
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- serious injury to domestic producers of like or directly competitive products in the
territory of one of the Contracting Parties,  or
- serious disturbances in any sector of the economy or difficulties which could bring
about serious deterioration in the economic situation of a region, the Community orTunisia may take appropriate measures under the conditions and in accordance with
the procedures laid down in Article 27.
Article 26
Where compliance with the provisions of Article 19(c) leads to:
(i) re-export to a third country of a product against which the exporting Party maintains
quantitative export restrictions, export duties or measures or charges having
equivalent effect;  or
(ii) a serious shortage, or threat thereof, of a product essential to the exporting Party, and
where the situations referred to above give rise, or are likely to give rise, to major
difficulties for the exporting Party, that Party may take appropriate measures under
the conditions and in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 27. The
measures shall be non-discriminatory and shall be eliminated when conditions no
longer justify their maintenance.
Article 27
1. In the event of the Community or Tunisia subjecting imports of products liable to give rise to
the difficulties referred to in Article 25 to an administrative procedure having as its purpose the rapidsupply of information on trade flow trends, it shall inform the other Party.
2. In the cases specified in Articles 24, 25 and 26, before taking the measures provided for
therein or, in cases to which paragraph 3(d) applies, as soon as possible, the Community or Tunisia, as
the case may be, shall supply the Association Committee with all relevant information with a view to
seeking a solution acceptable to the two Parties.  In the selection of measures, priority shall be given
to those which least disturb the functioning of this Agreement.  The safeguard measures shall beimmediately notified to the Association Committee by the Party concerned and shall be the subject of
periodic consultations, particularly with a view to their abolition as soon as circumstances permit.
3. For the implementation of paragraph 2, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) as regards Article 24, the exporting Party shall be informed of the dumping case as
soon as the authorities of the importing Party have initiated an investigation. When no
end has been put to the dumping within the meaning of Article VI of the GATT or no
other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the matter being
referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures;
(b) as regards Article 25, the difficulties arising from the situation referred to in that
Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee, which may
take any decision needed to put an end to  such difficulties.  If the Association
Committee or the exporting Party has not taken a decision putting an end to thedifficulties or no other satisfactory solution has been reached within 30 days of the
matter being referred, the importing Party may adopt the appropriate measures to
remedy the problem.  These measures shall not exceed the scope of what is necessary
to remedy the difficulties which have arisen;WT/REG69/1
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(c) as regards Article 26, the difficulties arising from the situations referred to in that
Article shall be referred for examination to the Association Committee.  The
Association Committee may take any decision needed to put an end to the difficulties.
If it has not taken such a decision within 30 days of the matter being referred to it, theexporting Party may apply appropriate measures to exports of the product concerned;
(d) where exceptional circumstances requiring immediate action make prior information
or examination, as the case may be, impossible, the Community or Tunisia,
whichever is concerned, may, in the situations specified in Articles 24, 25 and 26,
apply forthwith the precautionary measures strictly necessary to deal with the
situation and shall inform the other Party immediately thereof.
Article 28
The Agreement shall not preclude prohibitions or restrictions on imports, exports or goods in
transit justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security; the protection ofhealth and life of humans, animals or plants; the protection of national treasures of artistic, historic or
archaeological value or the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property of rules
relating to gold and silver. Such prohibitions or restrictions shall not, however, constitute a means of
arbitrary discrimination or a disguised restriction on trade between the Parties.
Article 29
The concept of 'originating products` for the purposes of implementing this Title and the
methods of administrative cooperation relating  thereto are laid down in Protocol No 4.
Article 30
The Combined Nomenclature of goods shall be applied to the classification of goods in trade
between the two Parties.
TITLE III
Right of Establishment and Services
Article 31
1. The Parties agree to widen the scope of the Agreement to cover the right of establishment of
one Party's firms on the territory of the other and liberalisation of the provision of services by one
Party's firms to consumers of services in the other.
2. The Association Council will make recommendations for achieving the objective described in
paragraph 1.  In making such recommendations, the Association Council will take account of past
experience of implementation of reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment and of the respective
obligations of each Party under the General Agreement on Trade in Services annexed to the
Agreement establishing the WTO, hereinafter referred  to as the 'GATS`, particularly those in Article
of the latter.
3. The Association Council will make a first assessment of the achievement of this objective no
later than five years after the Agreement enters into force.WT/REG69/1
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Article 32
1. At the outset, each of the Parties shall reaffirm its obligations under the GATS, particularly
the obligation to grant reciprocal most-favoured-nation treatment in the service sectors covered by
that obligation.
2. In accordance with the GATS, such treatment shall not apply to:
(a) advantages granted by either Party under the terms of an agreement of the type
defined in  Article V of the GATS or to measures taken on the basis of such an
agreement;
(b) other advantages granted in accordance with the list of exemptions from most-
favoured-nation treatment annexed by either Party to the GATS.
TITLE IV
Payments, Capital, Competition and Other Economic Provisions
CHAPTER I
Current Payments and Movement of Capital
Article 33
Subject to the provisions of Article 35, the Parties undertake to allow all current payments for
current transactions to be made in a freely convertible currency.
Article 34
1. With regard to transactions on the capital account of balance of payments, the Community
and Tunisia shall ensure, from the entry into force of this Agreement, that capital relating to direct
investments in Tunisia in companies formed in acco rdance with current laws can move freely and that
the yield from such investments and any profit stemming therefrom can be liquidated and repatriated.
2. The Parties shall consult each other with a view to facilitating, and fully liberalising when the
time is right, the movement of capital between the Community and Tunisia.
Article 35
Where one or more Member States of the Community, or Tunisia, is in serious balance of
payments difficulties, or under threat thereof, the Community or Tunisia, as the case may be, may, in
accordance with the conditions established under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade andArticles VIII and XIV of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, adopt
restrictions on current transactions which shall be of limited duration and may not go beyond what is
strictly necessary to remedy the balance of payments situation. The Community or Tunisia, as the case
may be, shall inform the other Party forthwith and shall submit to it as soon as possible a timetable for
the elimination of the measures concerned.WT/REG69/1
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CHAPTER II
Competition and Other Economic Provisions
Article 36
1. The following are incompatible with the proper functioning of the Agreement, insofar as they
may affect trade between the Community and Tunisia:
(a) all agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings and
concerted practices between undertakings which have as their object or effect the
prevention, restriction or distortion of competition;
(b) abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position in the territories of the
Community or of Tunisia as a whole or in a substantial part thereof;
(c) any official aid which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain
undertakings or the production of certain goods, with the exception of cases in which
a derogation is allowed under the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel
Community.
2. Any practices contrary to this Article shall be assessed on the basis of criteria arising from the
application of the rules of Articles 85, 86 and 92 of the Treaty establishing the European Community
and, in the case of products falling within the scope of the European Coal and Steel Community, the
rules of Articles 65 and 66 of the Treaty establishing that Community, and the rules relating to state
aid, including secondary legislation.
3. The Association Council shall, within five y ears of the entry into force of this Agreement,
adopt the necessary rules for the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2.  Until these rules are adopted,
the provisions of the Agreement on interpretation and application of Articles VI, XVI and XXIII of
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade shall be applied as the rules for the implementation of
paragraph 1(c) and related parts of paragraph 2.
4. (a) For the purposes of applying the provisions of paragraph 1(c), the Parties recognize
that during the first five years after the entr y into force of this Agreement, any State
aid granted by Tunisia shall be assessed taking into account the fact that Tunisia shall
be regarded as an area identical to those areas of the Community described in
Article 92(3)(a) of the Treaty establishing the European Community.  During the
same period of time, Tunisia may exceptionally, as regards ECSC steel products,grant State aid for restructuring purposes provided that:
- it leads to the viability of the recipient firms under normal market conditions
at the end of the restructuring period,
- the amount and intensity of such aid are strictly limited to what is absolutely
necessary in order to restore such viability and are progressively reduced,
- the restructuring programme is linked to a comprehensive plan for
rationalising capacity in Tunisia.  The Association Council shall, taking intoaccount the economic situation of Tunisia, decide whether the period should
be extended every five years.WT/REG69/1
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(b) Each Party shall ensure transparency in the area of official aid, inter alia by reporting
annually to the other Party on the total amount and the distribution of the aid given
and by providing, upon request, information on aid schemes. Upon request by one
Party, the other Party shall provide information on particular individual cases of
official aid.
5. With regard to products referred to in Chapter II of Title II:
- the provisions of paragraph 1(c) do not apply,- any practices contrary to paragraph 1(a) shall be assessed according to the criteria
established by the Community on the basis of Articles 42 and 43 of the Treatyestablishing the European Community, and in particular those established in Council
Regulation No 26/62.
6. If the Community or Tunisia considers that a particular practice is incompatible with the
terms of paragraph 1, and:
- is not adequately dealt with under the implementing rules referred to in paragraph 3,
or
- in the absence of such rules, and if such practice causes or threatens to cause serious
prejudice to the interest of the other Party or material injury to its domestic industry,
including its services industry, it may take appropriate measures after consultation
within the Association Committee or after 30 working days following referral to that
Committee.  In the case of practices incompatible with paragraph 1(c) of this Article,
such appropriate measures may, where the General Agreement on Tariffs and Tradeapplies thereto, only be adopted in accordance with the procedures and under the
conditions laid down by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and any other
relevant instrument negotiated under its auspices which is applicable between the
Parties.
7. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary adopted in accordance with paragraph 3, the
Parties shall exchange information taking into a ccount the limitations imposed by the requirements of
professional and business secrecy.
Article 37
The Member States and Tunisia shall progressively adjust, without affecting commitments
made under the GATT, any state monopolies of a commercial character so as to ensure that, by the
end of the fifth year following the entry into forc e of this Agreement, no discrimination regarding the
conditions under which goods are procured and marketed exists between nationals of the Member
States and of Tunisia. The Association Committee will be informed about the measures adopted to
implement this objective.
Article 38
With regard to public enterprises and enterprises which have been granted special or
exclusive rights, the Association Council shall ensu re, from the fifth year following the entry into
force of the Agreement, that no measures which disturbs trade between the Community and Tunisia in
a manner which runs counter to the interests of the Parties is adopted or maintained.  This provision
shall not impede the performance in fact or in law of the specific functions assigned to those
enterprises.WT/REG69/1
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Article 39
1. The Parties shall provide suitable and effective protection of intellectual, industrial and
commercial property rights, in line with the high est international standards. This shall encompass
effective means of enforcing such rights.
2. Implementation of this Article and of Annex 7 shall be regularly assessed by the Parties.  If
difficulties which affect trade arise in connection with intellectual, industrial and commercial property
rights, either Party may request urgent consultations to find mutually satisfactory solutions.
Article 40
1. The Parties shall take appropriate steps to promote the use by Tunisia of Community
technical rules and European standards for industrial and agri-food products and certification
procedures.
2. Using the principles set out in paragraph 1 as a basis, the Parties shall, when the
circumstances are right, conclude agreements for the mutual recognition of certifications.
Article 41
1. The Parties shall set as their objective a reciprocal and gradual liberalisation of public
procurement contracts.
2. The Association Council shall take the steps necessary to implement paragraph 1.
TITLE V
Economic Cooperation
Article 42
Objectives
1. The Parties undertake to step up economic cooperation in their mutual interest and in thespirit of partnership which is at the root of this Agreement.
2. The objective of economic cooperation shall be to support Tunisia's own efforts to achieve
sustainable economic and social development.
Article 43
Scope
1. Cooperation will be targeted first and foremost at areas of activity suffering the effects ofinternal constraints and difficulties or affected by the process of liberalising Tunisia's economy as a
whole, and more particularly by the liberalisa tion of trade between Tunisia and the Community.
2. Similarly, cooperation shall focus on areas likely to bring the economies of the Community
and Tunisia closer together, particularly those which will generate growth and employment.
3. Cooperation shall foster economic integration within the Maghreb using any measures likely
to further such relations within the region.WT/REG69/1
Page 17
4. Preservation of the environment and ecological balances shall constitute a central component
of the various fields of economic cooperation.
5. Where appropriate, the Parties shall determine by agreement other fields of economic
cooperation.
Article 44
Methods
Economic cooperation shall involve methods including:
(a) regular economic dialogue between the two Parties covering all aspects of
macroeconomic policy;
(b) communication and exchanges of information;
(c) advice, use of the services of experts and training;
(d) joint ventures;(e) assistance with technical, administrative and regulatory matters.
Article 45
Regional Cooperation
In order to make the most of this Agreement, the Parties shall foster all activities which have
a regional impact or involve third countries, notably:
(a) intra-regional trade within the Maghreb;(b) environmental matters;(c) the development of economic infrastructure;(d) research in science and technology;(e) cultural matters;
(f) customs matters;
(g) regional institutions and the establishment of common or harmonised programmes
and policies.
Article 46
Education and Training
The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) find ways to bring about a significant improvement in education and training,
including vocational training;WT/REG69/1
Page 18
(b) place special emphasis on giving the female population access to education, including
technical training, higher education and vocational training;
(c) encourage the establishment of lasting links between specialist bodies on the Parties'
territories in order to pool and exchange experience and methods.
Article 47
Scientific, Technical and Technological Cooperation
The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) encourage the establishment of permanent links between the Parties' scientific
communities, notably by means of:
- providing Tunisia with access to Community research and technological
development programmes in accordance with Community rules governing
non-Community countries' involvement in such programmes,
- Tunisian participation in networks of decentralised cooperation,
- promoting synergy in training and research;
(b) improve Tunisia's research capabilities;
(c) stimulate technological innovation and the transfer of new technology and know-
how;
(d) encourage all activities aimed at establishing synergy at regional level.
Article 48
Environment
The aim of cooperation shall be to prevent deterioration of the environment, to improve the
quality of the environment, to protect human health and to achieve rational use of natural resources
for sustainable development.  The Parties undertake to cooperate in areas including:
(a) soil and water quality;
(b) the consequences of development, particularly industrial development (especially
safety of installations and waste);
(c) monitoring and preventing pollution of the sea.
Article 49
Industrial Cooperation
The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) encourage cooperation between the Parties' economic operators, including
cooperation in the context of access for Tunisia to Community business networks and
decentralised cooperation networks;
(b) back the effort to modernise and restructure Tunisia's public and private sector
industry (including the agri-food industry);WT/REG69/1
Page 19
(c) foster an environment which favours private initiative, with the aim of stimulating
and diversifying output for the domestic and export markets;
(d) make the most of Tunisia's human resources and industrial potential through better
use of policy in the fields of innovation and research and technological development;
(e) facilitate access to credit to finance investment.
Article 50
Promotion and Protection of Investment
The aim of cooperation shall be to create a favourable climate for flows of investment, and to
use the following in particular:
(a) the establishment of harmonised and simplified procedures, co-investment machinery
(especially to link small and medium-sized enterprises) and methods of identifying
and providing information on investment opportunities;
(b) the establishment, where appropriate, of a legal framework to promote investment,
chiefly through the conclusion by Tunisia and the Member States of investment
protection agreements and agreements preventing double taxation.
Article 51
Cooperation in Standardisation and Conformity Assessment
The Parties shall cooperate in developing:
(a) the use of Community rules in standardisation, metrology, quality control and
conformity assessment;
(b) the updating of Tunisian laboratories, leading eventually to the conclusion of mutual
recognition agreements for conformity assessment;
(c) the bodies responsible for intellectual, industrial and commercial property and for
standardisation and quality in Tunisia.
Article 52
Approximation of Legislation
Cooperation shall be aimed at helping Tunisia to bring its legislation closer to that of the
Community in the areas covered by this Agreement.
Article 53
Financial Services
The aim of cooperation shall be to achieve closer common rules and standards in areas
including the following:
(a) bolstering and restructuring Tunisia's financial sectors;(b) improving accounting, auditing, supervision and regulation of financial services and
financial monitoring in TunisiaWT/REG69/1
Page 20
Article 54
Agriculture and Fisheries
The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) modernise and restructure agriculture and fisheries through methods including the
modernisation of infrastructure and equipment, the development of packaging and
storage techniques and the improvement of private distribution and marketing chains;
(b) diversify output and external markets;(c) achieve cooperation in health, plant health and growing techniques.
Article 55
Transport
The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) achieve the restructuring and modernisation of road, rail, port and airport
infrastructure of common interest, in correlation with major trans-European
communication routes;
(b) define and apply operating standards comparable to those found in the Community;
(c) bring equipment up to Community standards, particularly where multimodal
transport, containerisation and transhipment are concerned;
(d) gradually improve road transit and the management of airports, air traffic and
railway.
Article 56
Telecommunications and Information Technology
Cooperation shall focus on:
(a) telecommunications in general;(b) standardisation, conformity testing and certification for information technology and
telecommunications;
(c) dissemination of new information technologies, particularly in relation to networks
and the interconnection of networks (ISDN - integrated services digital networks -
and EDI - electronic data interchange);
(d) stimulating research on and development of new communication and information
technology facilities to develop the market in equipment, services and applications
related to information technology and to communications, services and installations.WT/REG69/1
Page 21
Article 57
Energy
Cooperation shall focus on:
(a) renewable energy;
(b) promoting the saving of energy;(c) applied research relating to networks of databases linking the two Parties' economic
and social operators;
(d) backing efforts to modernise and develop energy networks and the interconnection of
such networks with Community networks.
Article 58
Tourism
The aim of cooperation shall be to develop tourism, particularly with regard to:
(a) catering management and quality of service in the various fields connected with
catering;
(b) development of marketing;(c) promotion of tourism for young people.
Article 59
Cooperation in Customs Matters
1. The aim of cooperation shall be to ensure fair trade and compliance with trade rules.  It shall
focus on:
(a) simplifying customs checks and procedures;(b) the use of the Single Administrative Document and creating a link between the
Community and Tunisian transit systems.
2. Without prejudice to other forms of cooperation provided for in this Agreement, and
particularly those provided for in Articles 61 and 62, the Contracting Parties' administrative
authorities shall provide mutual assistance in accordance with the terms of Protocol No 5.
Article 60
Cooperation in Statistics
The aim of cooperation shall be to bring the methods used by the Parties closer together and
to put to use data on all areas covered by this Agreement for which statistics can be collected.WT/REG69/1
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Article 61
Money Laundering
1. The Parties agree on the need to work towards and cooperate on preventing the use of their
financial systems to launder the proceeds of criminal activities in general and drug trafficking inparticular.
2. Cooperation in this area shall include administrative and technical assistance with the purpose
of establishing suitable standards against money laundering equivalent to those adopted by the
Community and international fora in this field, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Article 62
Combating drug use and trafficking
1. The aim of cooperation shall be to:
(a) improve the effectiveness of policies and measures to prevent and combat the
production and supply of and trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances;
(b) eliminate illicit consumption of such products.
2. The Parties shall together set out appropriate strategies and methods of cooperation, in
accordance with their own legislation, to attain those objectives. For any action which is not
conducted jointly, there shall be consultations and close coordination.  Such action may involve the
appropriate public and private sector institutions and international organisations, in collaboration with
the government of the Republic of Tunisia and the relevant authorities in the Community and the
Member States.
3. Cooperation shall take the following forms in particular:
(a) the establishment or expansion of clinics/hostels and information centres for the
treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts;
(b) the implementation of prevention, information, training and epidemiological research
projects;
(c) the establishment of standards for preventing diversion of precursors and other
essential ingredients for the illicit manufacture of narcotics and psychotropic
substances, which are equivalent to those adopted by the Community and theappropriate international authorities, particularly the Chemicals Action Task
Force (CATF).
Article 63
The two Parties shall together establish the pr ocedures needed to achieve cooperation in the
fields covered by this Title.WT/REG69/1
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TITLE VI
Cooperation in Social and Cultural Matters
CHAPTER I
Workers
Article 64
1. The treatment accorded by each Member State to workers of Tunisian nationality employed in
its territory shall be free from any discrimination based on nationality, as regards working conditions,remuneration and dismissal, relative to its own nationals.
2. All Tunisian workers allowed to undertake paid employment in the territory of a Member
State on a temporary basis shall be covered by the provisions of paragraph 1 with regard to working
conditions and remuneration.
3. Tunisia shall accord the same treatment to workers who are nationals of a Member State and
employed in its territory.
Article 65
1. Subject to the provisions of the following paragraphs, workers of Tunisian nationality and any
members of their families living with them shall enjoy, in the field of social security, treatment free
from any discrimination based on nationality relative to nationals of the Member States in which they
are employed.  The concept of social security shall cover the branches of social security dealing withsickness and maternity benefits, invalidity, old-age and survivors' benefits, industrial accident and
occupational disease benefits and death, unemployment and family benefits.  These provisions shall
not, however, cause the other coordination rules provided for in Community legislation based on
Article 51 of the EC Treaty to apply, except under the conditions set out in Article 67 of this
Agreement.
2. All periods of insurance, employment or residence completed by such workers in the various
Member States shall be added together for the purpose of pensions and annuities in respect of old age,
invalidity and survivors' benefits and family, sickness and maternity benefits and also for that of
medical care for the workers and for members of their families resident in the Community.
3. The workers in question shall receive family allowances for members of their families who
are resident in the Community.
4. The workers in question shall be able to tran sfer freely to Tunisia, at the rates applied by
virtue of the legislation of the debtor Member State or States, any pensions or annuities in respect of
old age, survivor status, industrial accident or occupational disease, or of invalidity resulting fromindustrial accident or occupational disease, except in the case of special non-contributory benefits.
5. Tunisia shall accord to workers who are nationals of a Member State and employed in its
territory, and to the members of their families, trea tment similar to that specified in paragraphs 1, 3
and 4.WT/REG69/1
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Article 66
The provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to nationals of the Parties residing or working
illegally in the territory of their host countries.
Article 67
1. Before the end of the first year following the entry into force of this Agreement, the
Association Council shall adopt provisions to implement the principles set out in Article 65.
2. The Association Council shall adopt detailed rules for administrative cooperation providing
the necessary management and monitoring guarantees for the application of the provisions referred toin paragraph 1.
Article 68
The provisions adopted by the Association Council in accordance with Article 67 shall not
affect any rights or obligations arising from bilateral agreements linking Tunisia and the Member
States where those agreements provide for more favourable treatment of nationals of Tunisia or of the
Member States.
CHAPTER II
Dialogue in Social Matters
Article 69
1. The Parties shall conduct regular dialogue on any social matter which is of interest to them.2. Such dialogue shall be used to find ways to achieve progress in the field of movement of
workers and equal treatment and social integration for Tunisian and Community nationals residing
legally in the territories of their host countries.
3. Dialogue shall cover in particular all issues connected with:
(a) the living and working conditions of the migrant communities;(b) migration;(c) illegal immigration and the conditions governing the return of individuals who are in
breach of the legislation dealing with the right to stay and the right of establishment
in their host countries;
(d) schemes and programmes to encourage equal treatment between Tunisian and
Community nationals, mutual knowledge of cultures and civilizations, the furthering
of tolerance and the removal of discrimination.
Article 70
Dialogue on social matters shall be conducted at the same levels and in accordance with the
same procedures as provided for in Title I of th is Agreement, which can itself provide a framework
for that dialogue.WT/REG69/1
Page 25
CHAPTER III
Cooperation in the Social Field
Article 71
With a view to consolidating cooperation betwee n the Parties in the social field, projects and
programmes shall be carried out in any area of interest to them.  Priority will be afforded to:
(a) reducing migratory pressure, in particular by creating jobs and developing training in
areas from which emigrants come;
(b) resettling those repatriated because of their illegal status under the legislation of the
state in question;
(c) promoting the role of women in the economic and social development process
through education and the media in step with Tunisian policy on the matter;
(d) bolstering and developing Tunisia's family planning and mother and child protection
programmes;
(e) improving the social protection system;(f) enhancing the health cover system;
(g) improving living conditions in poor, densely populated areas;
(h) implementing and financing exchange and leisure programmes for mixed groups of
Tunisian and European young people residing in the Member States, with a view to
promoting mutual knowledge of their respective cultures and fostering tolerance.
Article 72
Cooperation schemes may be carried out in coordination with Member States and relevant
international organisations.
Article 73
A working party shall be set up by the Association Council by the end of the first year
following the entry into force of this Agreement. It  shall be responsible for the continuous and regular
evaluation of the implementation of Chapters 1 to 3.
CHAPTER IV
Cooperation on Cultural Matters
Article 74
1. In order to boost mutual knowledge and understanding, taking account of activities already
carried out, the Parties shall undertake - while respecting each other's culture - to provide a firmerWT/REG69/1
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footing for lasting cultural dialogue and to promote continuous cultural cooperation between them,
without ruling out a priori any field of activity.
2. In putting together cooperation projects and programmes and carrying out joint activities, the
Parties shall place special emphasis on young people, on written and audio-visual means of expressionand communication, and on the protection of their heritage and the dissemination of culture.
3. The Parties agree that cultural cooperation programmes already under way in the Community
or in one or more of its Member States may be extended to Tunisia.
TITLE VII
Financial Cooperation
Article 75
With a view to full attainment of the Agreement's objectives, financial cooperation shall be
implemented for Tunisia in line with the appropriate financial procedures and resources.  These
procedures shall be adopted by mutual agreement between the Parties by means of the most suitable
instruments once the Agreement enters into force.  In addition to the areas covered by the Titles V
and VI of this Agreement, cooperation shall entail:
- facilitating reforms aimed at modernizing the economy,- updating economic infrastructure,
- promoting private investment and job creation activities,
- taking into account the effects on the Tunisian economy of the progressive
introduction of a free trade area, in particular where the updating and restructuring of
industry is concerned,
- flanking measures for policies implemented in the social sectors.
Article 76
Within the framework of Community instruments intended to buttress structural adjustment
programmes in the Mediterranean countries - and in close coordination with the Tunisian authoritiesand other contributors, in particular the intern ational financial institutions - the Community will
examine suitable ways of supporting structural policies carried out by Tunisia to restore financial
equilibrium in all its key aspects and create an economic environment conducive to boosting growth,
while at the same time enhancing social welfare.
Article 77
In order to ensure a coordinated approach to dealing with exceptional macroeconomic and
financial problems which could stem from the progressive implementation of the Agreement, the
Parties shall closely monitor the development of trade and financial relations between the Communityand Tunisia as part of the regular economic dialogue established under Title V.WT/REG69/1
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TITLE VIII
Institutional, General and Final Provisions
Article 78
An Association Council is hereby established which shall meet at ministerial level once a year
and when circumstances require, on the initiative of its Chairman and in accordance with the
conditions laid down in its rules of procedure.  It  shall examine any major issues arising within the
framework of this Agreement and any other bilateral or international issues of mutual interest.
Article 79
1. The Association Council shall consist of the members of the Council of the European Union
and members of the Commission of the European Communities, on the one hand, and of members of
the Government of the Republic of Tunisia, on the other.
2. Members of the Association Council may arrange to be represented, in accordance with the
provisions laid down in its rules of procedure.
3. The Association Council shall establish its rules of procedure.4. The Association Council shall be chaired in tu rn by a member of the Council of the European
Union and a member of the Government of the Republic of Tunisia in accordance with the provisions
laid down in its rules of procedure.
Article 80
The Association Council shall, for the purpose of attaining the objectives of the Agreement,
have the power to take decisions in the cases provided for therein.  The decisions taken shall be
binding on the Parties, which shall take the measures necessary to implement the decisions taken. The
Association Council may also make appropriate reco mmendations.  It shall draw up its decisions and
recommendations by agreement between the Parties.
Article 81
1. Subject to the powers of the Council, an A ssociation Committee is hereby established which
shall be responsible for the implementation of the Agreement.
2. The Association Council may delegate to the Association Committee, in full or in part, any of
its powers.
Article 82
1. The Association Committee, which shall meet at the level of officials, shall consist of
representatives of members of the Council of the European Union and of members of the Commission
of the European Communities, on the one hand, and of representatives of the Government of the
Republic of Tunisia, on the other.
2. The Association Committee shall establish its rules of procedure.WT/REG69/1
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3. The Association Committee shall be chaired in turn by a representative of the Presidency of
the Council of the European Union and by a representative of the Government of the Republic of
Tunisia.  The Association Committee shall normally meet alternately in the Community and in
Tunisia.
Article 83
The Association Committee shall have the power to  take decisions for the management of the
Agreement as well as in those areas in which the Council has delegated its powers to it.  It shall draw
up its decisions by agreement between the Parties. These decisions shall be binding on the Parties,
which shall take the measures necessary to implement the decisions taken.
Article 84
The Association Council may decide to set up any working group or body necessary for the
implementation of the Agreement.
Article 85
The Association Council shall take all appropr iate measures to facilitate cooperation and
contacts between the European Parliament and the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Tunisia,
and between the Economic and Social Committee of the Community and the Economic and SocialCouncil of the Republic of Tunisia.
Article 86
1. Either Party may refer to the Association Council any dispute relating to the application or
interpretation of this Agreement.
2. The Association Council may settle the dispute by means of a decision.3. Each Party shall be bound to take the measures involved in carrying out the decision referred
to in paragraph 2.
4. In the event of it not being possible to settle the dispute in accordance with paragraph 2, either
Party may notify the other of the appointment of an arbitrator; the other Party must then appoint a
second arbitrator within two months. For the application of this procedure, the Community and the
Member States shall be deemed to be one Party to the dispute.  The Association Council shall appoint
a third arbitrator.  The arbitrators' decisions shall be taken by majority vote.  Each party to the disputeshall take the steps required to implement the decision of the arbitrators.
Article 87
Nothing in the Agreement shall prevent a Co ntracting Party from taking any measures:
(a) which it considers necessary to prevent the disclosure of information contrary to its
essential security interests;
(b) which relate to the production of, or trade in, arms, munitions or war materials or to
research, development or production indispensable for defence purposes, provided
that such measures do not impair the conditions of competition in respect of products
not intended for specifically military purposes;WT/REG69/1
Page 29
(c) which it considers essential to its own security in the event of serious internal
disturbances affecting the maintenance of law and order, in time of war or serious
international tension constituting threat of war or in order to carry out obligations it
has accepted for the purpose of maintaining peace and international security.
Article 88
1. In the fields covered by this Agreement, and without prejudice to any special provisions
contained therein:
- the arrangements applied by the Republic of Tunisia in respect of the Community
shall not give rise to any discrimination between the Member States, their nationals,or their companies or firms,
- the arrangements applied by the Community in respect of the Republic of Tunisia
shall not give rise to any discrimination between Tunisian nationals or its companies
or firms.
Article 89
Nothing in the Agreement shall have the effect of:
- extending the fiscal advantages granted by either Party in any international agreement
or arrangement by which it is bound,
- preventing the adoption or application by either Party of any measure aimed at
preventing fraud or the evasion of taxes,
- opposing the right of either Party to apply the relevant provisions of its tax legislation
to taxpayers who are not in an identical situation as regards their place of residence.
Article 90
1. The Parties shall take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations
under the Agreement. They shall see to it that the objectives set out in the Agreement are attained.
2. If either Party considers that the other Party has failed to fulfil an obligation under the
Agreement, it may take appropriate measures. Before so doing, except in cases of special urgency, it
shall supply the Association Council with all th e relevant information required for a thorough
examination of the situation with a view to seeking a solution acceptable to the Parties.  In the
selection of measures, priority must be given to those which least disturb the functioning of the
Agreement. These measures shall be notified immediately to the Association Council and shall be the
subject of consultations within the Association Council if the other Party so requests.
Article 91
Protocols Nos 1 to 5, Annexes 1 to 7 and the declarations shall form an integral part of the
Agreement.WT/REG69/1
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Article 92
For the purposes of this Agreement, 'Parties` shall mean, on the one hand, the Community or
the Member States, or the Community and its Member States, in accordance with their respective
powers, and, on the other hand, Tunisia.
Article 93
This Agreement shall be concluded for an unlimited period.  Either Party may denounce this
Agreement by notifying the other Party. The Agreement shall cease to apply six months after the date
of such notification.
Article 94
This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaties
establishing the European Community and the European Coal And Steel Community are applied and
under the conditions laid down in those Treaties and, on the other hand to the territory of the Republicof Tunisia.
Article 95
This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French,
German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Arabic languages, each of these texts being
equally authentic.
Article 96
1. The Agreement shall be approved by the Contracting Parties in accordance with their own
procedures.  It shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which
the Contracting Parties notify each other that the procedures referred to in the first paragraph have
been completed.
2. Upon its entry into force, the Agreement shall replace the Cooperation Agreement between
the European Community and the Republic of Tunisia and the Agreement between the Member Statesof the European Coal and Steel Community and the Republic of Tunisia, signed in Tunis on
25 April 1976.
Done  at Brussels on the seventeenth day of July in the year one thousand nine hundred and
ninety-five.
__________