RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/REG69/4/Add.2
15 June 2001
(01-2981)
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
EURO-MEDITERRANEAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND TUNISIA
Questions and Replies
Addendum
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE AGREEMENT
2. Type of agreement
With regard to the transitional period, the Parties explain that the reason for which it
lasted 12 years was due to the difference in their res pective levels of development.   According to
the US calculations, nearly one quarter of Tunisia’s imports from the EC would be subject to a
phase-out period exceeding ten years.  Taking in to account the trade volume, we simply do not
think that the given explanation of the "sharp difference between them in terms of respective
levels of development" is enough to justify such a long transitional period.  We would
appreciate if the Parties could give a further detailed explanation on this.
The Parties already responded to this ques tion in document WT/REG69/4/Add.1, where they
explained that the sharp difference between them in terms of their respective levels of development
provided sufficient justification for the application in this case of a transitional period longer than
10 years.  It should be recalled that the purpose of this progressive market opening by Tunisia is to
ensure that Tunisian industry is able to improve its competitiveness so as to be in a position to better
respond to the greater competition from imports that will result from tariff elimination. The difference
in the respective levels of development of the Parties is such that certain Tunisian products would not
be able to withstand immediate competition.  It is these products which benefit from the transitional
period of up to 12 years in order to allow time for the modernisation of the industries concerned and
improvement of their levels of competitiveness, thereby reinforcing the competitive position of the
products concerned.
4. Trade data
Could  the Parties provide information on the proportions of MFN trade;  less-than-
MFN-trade;  and duty free trade for agriculture?  This question was asked last year, but the
information does not appear to be reflected in the formal records.
The Parties already responded in their answers to questions 6 and 7 of document
WT/REG69/4.  According to statistics collected by  the Tunisian authorities, on average between 1997
and 1999, 72.2 per cent of Tunisian exports to the EC of agriculture and fisheries products were
duty-free, 22.9 per cent were at rates less than MFN and 4.9 per cent were at MFN rates, while 38 per
cent of imports were at rates less than MFN and 62 per cent were at MFN rates.  See attached tables
for further information.WT/REG69/4/Add.2
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Tunisian Exports of Agricultural and Fisheries Products to the EU
1997 1998 1999 Average Exports
Value (MD) % Value (MD) % Value (MD) % Value (MD) %
duty-free 320.7 71.3 326.6 75.2 382.2 70.5 339.8 72.2
less than MFN 106.5 23.7 85.4 20.5 130.5 24.1 197.8 22.9
MFN rates 22.2 5.0 18 4.3 29.2 5.4 23.2 4.9
Total 449.4 100 421 100 541.9 100 470.8 100
Tunisian Imports of Agricultural and Fisheries Products from the EU
1997 1998 1999 Average Imports
Value (MD) % Value (MD) % Value (MD) % Value (MD) %
less than MFN 159.2 38 171.2 42 116.2 34 145.9 38
MFN rates 256.6 62 238.3 58 225.4 66 243.1 62
Total 415.8 100 409.5 100 341.6 100 389 100
Notes on the tables:  The statistics presented in this table do not take account of the new Protocol on
agricultural products which entered into force on 1 January 2001 and which expands the tariff
concessions granted by Tunisia on imports of agricultural products originating in the EC.
We very much appreciate the submission of the various information.  Although, we are
not yet sure of the actual figure concerning th e trade coverage.  Thus, we would very much
appreciate if the Parties could indicate the percen tage of trade coverage of their trade, in both
volume and tariff line basis, or otherwise indicate where the figures are to be found in the
documents.
The Parties have already provided information on the trade coverage of the agreement.  See in
particular the answers to questions 4, 5, 6 and 7 of document WT/REG69/4, as well as the information
presented in the Standard format document WT/REG69/2.
II. TRADE PROVISIONS
1. Import restrictions
Has Tunisia determined the liberalization measures to be applied after 1 January 2001
and are they currently being applied?
As regards industrial products, the process of liberalisation is proceeding in line with the
calendar established in the Association Agreement.  As regards agricultural products, where the
Agreement foresees the application of liberalisation measures from 1 January 2001, Tunisia has
promulgated Law 2001-25 of 8 March 2001 ratifying the agreement in the form of an exchange of
letters of 22 December 2000 between Tunisia and the European Community concerning reciprocal
liberalisation measures and amendment of the Agriculture Protocols of the Association Agreement.WT/REG69/4/Add.2
Page 3
4. Standards
Is Tunisia in the process of harmonizing with EU technical standards or will you
continue to maintain separate international standards?
The Parties have already addressed this question in their response to question 12 of document
WT/REG69/4.  A large majority of European and/or international standards are integrated into the
system of standards in Tunisia. The process of harmonization of technical rules and standards should
be launched in the near future, within the framework of a broad and wide-ranging programme to
reinforce and develop infrastructure quality in Tunisia.  This harmonisation programme, which will be
undertaken in compliance with Tunisia’s international obligations and in particular those established
under the WTO Agreement and the EC/Tunisia Association Agreement, will allow Tunisia toestablish a national standards regime that is in harmony with its main trading partners.  It will also
allow Tunisia to adopt European standards setting and conformity assessment methods in various
sectors, particularly relating to health and safety.  International standards will continue to be used in
certain other sectors.
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