This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.

The Union position to be adopted within the Association Council set up by the EuroMediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the document: Strengthening the EUTunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020 is based on the text annexed to this Decision.

(5)While addressing the most urgent challenges, the EU and Tunisia 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.

(4)The EU and Tunisia have a responsibility to 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.

(3)The Joint Communication by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and by 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 this 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.

(2)The Joint Communication by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and by 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.

(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, was signed on 17 July 1995 and entered into force on 1 March 1998.

Having regard to the joint proposal of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and of the European Commission,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 217 in conjunction with Article 218(9) thereof,

on the Union position within the Association Council set up by the EuroMediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the document: ‘Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020’.

(d)Joint communication to the European Parliament and the Council, Strengthening EU support for Tunisia (JOIN(2016) 47 final of 29.9.2016); Council Conclusions of 17 October 2016 on Tunisia, Ref.: 13056/16.

(c)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 (OJ L 097, 30.3.1998).

(b)Regulation (EU) No 232/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing a European Neighbourhood Instrument (OJ L77; 15.3.2014).

(a)Joint Communication to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, ‘Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy’ (JOIN(2015) 50 final of 18.11.2015). Common Position Paper of Arab ENP Countries presented at the Beirut Ministerial Conference on the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) on 24 June 2015. Council Conclusions of 14 December 2015 on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy.

The implementation of the EU-Tunisia strategic priorities will be regularly monitored. Contact points will be designated by both sides in the relevant departments to ensure effective and mutually beneficial implementation of priorities. The meetings related to the bilateral cooperation between the EU and Tunisia under the Association Agreement will contribute to such monitoring, including at sector level.

No additional budgetary implications beyond what is provided for in previous international EU commitments. The budgetary implications are defined in the 20172020 European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Single Support Framework.

Regarding fundamental rights in Tunisia, one of the strategic priorities is strengthening democracy, good governance and human rights in the country. The EU and Tunisia have established a regular and frank dialogue and close cooperation in the field of fundamental rights. Both sides will continue to intensify their cooperation in the coming years.

The relevant thematic expertise was available internally, either in Brussels at the headquarters of the European institutions or in Tunis at the EU Delegation in Tunisia.

The consultations were held on the basis of the guidelines in the new European Neighbourhood Policy.

In addition to regular consultations in Tunis on thematic priorities, consultations with civil society stakeholders were launched in March in Brussels and in Tunis. The main input received was the need to ensure continued EU support for the ongoing democratic transition process in Tunisia, the promotion of good governance and the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the strengthening of the role and participation of civil society in the process of political, economic and social development, through effective implementation of the Tunisian Constitution and international commitments undertaken by Tunisia. Civil society stakeholders also reiterated the importance of working with and for young Tunisians to promote access to employment. These points were all taken into consideration in the attached texts.

This text was drafted following close consultation with relevant Commission departments and with Member States' representatives in the Council Mashraq/Maghreb Working Party, as well as discussions with Tunisian counterparts.

To pursue this approach, political commitments are the most appropriate instrument. A new binding international agreement with Tunisia would have created a disproportionate procedural burden for the time span to be covered by the strategic priorities. On the other hand, a simple Memorandum of Understanding would not have provided a sufficiently substantive basis for the multiannual programming of assistance provided for in the ‘action plans or other equivalent jointly agreed documents’ referred to in Article 3(2) of the European Neighbourhood Instrument Regulation.

The Council Conclusions of 14 December 2015 on the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy confirmed the ‘Council’s intention to start a new phase of engagement with partners in 2016 which could lead to the setting of new partnership priorities, where appropriate, focused on agreed priorities and interests’.

According to Article 218(9) of the TFEU, an EU Council position has to be adopted before the strategic priorities can be adopted by the Association Council.

As the strategic priorities concern relations between the EU and Tunisia, Member States cannot adopt them at national level.

The partnership priorities should be adopted at the EU-Tunisia Association Council meeting of 15 May 2018, following adoption by the EU Council, pursuant to Article 218(9) TFEU, of the position to be taken within the Association Council. Once adopted, the strategic priorities will guide the programming of financial cooperation provided by the EU under the European Neighbourhood Instrument.

This proposal is based on Article 218(9) of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). It is a joint proposal for an EU Council Decision on the Union position to be adopted within the Association Council set up by the Euro Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of a recommendation on the strategic priorities of the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership.

The EU-Tunisia strategic priorities reflect the EU’s long standing commitment to its Mediterranean partners. They are also in line with the EU global strategy, which advocates an integrated approach to addressing crises by means of coordinating EU policies in the areas of humanitarian aid, disaster risk management, development, migration, trade, investment, infrastructure, education, health and research. The document takes into account, in particular, the promotion of human rights and good governance, sustainable management of natural resources, the external dimension of EU migration policies, the increased focus on international cooperation to counter terrorism and violent extremism, and the potential of trade to generate fair growth and decent employment.

The EU-Tunisia strategic priorities represent the first bilateral framework agreed under the new ENP and are in line with the priorities and terms set out in the policy, namely the stabilisation of the neighbourhood in political, economic and security terms. They are also consistent with the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement, which entered into force on 1 March 1998.

The main strategic priorities adopted as regards EU-Tunisia relations for the years 2018-2020 are:

The EU-Tunisia partnership is a key factor in the relationship – while youth is a cross-cutting issue.

The ‘strategic priorities’ translate the privileged partnership in practical terms for the years 2018-2020 and are milestones in the development of an ambitious model for future EUTunisia relations post-2020. The creation of future prospects for young people is at the core of these priorities. The document focuses on speeding up socio-economic reforms, inter alia by improving the business environment and concluding a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA). Democratic transition and good governance constitute the other key pillar in the implementation of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement. Both sides also make a commitment to intensifying their cooperation in the coming years in the field of security and counter-terrorism, and in relation to migration and mobility. Tunisia has made a strategic choice in anchoring itself to the EU and the development of a prosperous and stable democratic Tunisia is of mutual strategic interest for both partners.

The EU and Tunisia agreed to work together to prepare a document setting out the ‘strategic priorities’ for strengthening the privileged partnership. This partnership reflects the uniqueness and dynamism of bilateral relations between Tunisia and the EU. These strategic priorities are intended to reaffirm this uniqueness and reflect the shared ambition to strengthen bilateral relations in all areas and to advance towards securing increasingly close links between Tunisia and the European area. The priorities are based on Tunisia’s 20162020 fiveyear development plan and the Joint Communication from the High Representative and the Commission Strengthening EU support for Tunisia of 29September 2016. This document will also constitute a reference to be taken into account for implementing the programming of EU financial cooperation, the EU Single Support Framework for Tunisia having been adopted by the Commission on 18 August 2017 (C(2017) 5637 (1)).

The consultations with the Republic of Tunisia started in October 2017. This approach is in line with the new global strategy of the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy, presented in June 2016 by the High Representative.

The revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), adopted in November 2015, establishes a new framework for bilateral relations with partner countries. In the case of Tunisia, this new approach is reflected in the document Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020, which is a key point of reference for agreeing a limited number of targeted policy priorities for the period 2018-2020.

on the Union position within the Association Council set up by the Euro x001e Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the document: ‘Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020’.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels,2.5.2018 JOIN(2018) 9 final Joint Proposal for a ANNEX to COUNCIL DECISION on the Union position within the Association Council set up by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, with regard to the adoption of the document: ‘Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020’.



ANNEX Strengthening the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership: elements of the strategic priorities for the period 2018-2020 1.Introduction Tunisia made a strategic choice in anchoring itself to the European area, and the development of a prosperous and stable Tunisian democracy within the neighbourhood of the EU is of mutual strategic interest. The ‘privileged partnership’ between the EU and Tunisia testifies to the special and dynamic bilateral relations that have been established, and the shared ambition to advance towards increasingly close links between Tunisia and the European area. The long-term objective is to develop an ambitious framework for future relations post-2020, building on the progress achieved and making full use of the opportunities for closer links provided by the European Neighbourhood Policy in the period 2018 to 2020. In the context of the privileged partnership, Tunisia is fully committed to implementing the reforms necessary for the sustainable socio-economic development of the country and to ensure long-term progress in the democratic transition. Realising the scale of the challenge and the difficulties Tunisia is going through, the European Union reiterates its commitment to supporting implementation of these reforms as soon as possible. The strategic priorities developed in this document translate the privileged partnership into practical terms for the period 2018 to 2020. The creation of future prospects for young people will be at the core of the actions of both sides. The focus will be placed on speeding up socioeconomic reforms including improvement of the business environment, and the conclusion of a deep and comprehensive free trade agreement (DCFTA). Democratic consolidation, in particular effective implementation of the 2014 Constitution and good governance will also remain essential. Both sides will reinforce cooperation in the field of security and counterterrorism, and in relation to migration and mobility with the completion of negotiations on visa facilitation and on readmission, and the increasingly active participation of Tunisia in EU programmes. Enhancing high-level political dialogue and dialogue with civil society and also the visibility of the partnership will go hand in hand with these efforts. These priorities are based on the Tunisian 2016-2020 Five-Year Development Plan and the Joint Communication Strengthening EU support for Tunisia. 2.Strategic priorities of the EU-Tunisia privileged partnership for the period 20182020 Partnership for youth The EU and Tunisia consider enhancing young people’s prospects for the future to be a major objective, as shown by the EU-Tunisia partnership for youth launched by the Tunisian President and the High Representative/Vice-President on 1 December 2016. In order to respond better to the needs of young Tunisians, the various ongoing and future actions should be more consistent. On the basis of the dialogue launched for implementing this partnership, the EU and Tunisia have undertaken to consolidate measures to promote youth employment and employability; mobility; and increased participation of young people in public life and politics, in particular in local initiatives. Employability will require the reform of education and vocational training, the creation of closer links between the private sector and educational and training systems, and the promotion of and support for innovative initiatives launched by young people, particularly in the areas of new technologies and culture. Support for the development of a Tunisian national strategy for youth will be a key element of the partnership, as will be strengthening institutions and organisations dedicated to youth. Complementing this commitment to youth, both sides will work on the following strategic priorities: 2.1.Inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development Tunisia’s political progress can only be sustained if it is accompanied by economic progress on a similar scale. In view of Tunisia’s fragile socio-economic situation, with high youth unemployment (especially among the educated) and significant regional and social disparities, one of the key objectives will be to contribute to turning round the Tunisian economy, to making it more competitive and diversified and to transforming it in an inclusive and sustainable fashion, with due regard for international commitments on the environment and climate change. The EU will continue to support and encourage structural reforms. More particularly, measures in the area of socio-economic development will be organised around the following commitments: –improving the business climate and supporting the development of the private sector and private investment, in particular through: (i) simplification and streamlining of administrative procedures for businesses, (ii) improving access to finance, and (iii) boosting public and private investment – in particular effective implementation of the 2016 law on investment and the 2017 law recasting tax benefits, taking account of harmful arrangements as regards abolition of tax advantages;

–there will also be an emphasis on actively promoting entrepreneurship and the development of SMEs/VSEs; –defining and implementing missing sectoral strategies, for instance for tourism; –improving protection of the environment and the management of natural resources (including water), in particular through implementation of the national green economy strategy and implementation of Tunisia’s international commitments on climate change (determined national contribution), the blue economy and fishery resources; –improving the competitiveness of traditional and growth sectors in industry and agriculture, inter alia through greater use of information and communication technologies and ensuring sustainable resource management, and diversifying export markets; –developing the energy sector, including electricity interconnections between the EU and Tunisia, and the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency; –developing a safe, secure, sustainable and efficient transport system based on harmonised transport standards and an integrated multimodal network in order to facilitate south-south and north-south connections; –consolidating the public finance management system through the adoption and implementation of a new organic budget law, reform of the state audit system and improving the governance of public enterprises. Implementing the reform of the tax system (simplification of the tax system, tax fairness, decentralisation, modernisation of the administration, fighting tax avoidance and implementation of relevant international commitments) represents a crucial step towards more inclusive development of the country. Support for the on-going banking reforms and the 2017-2021 national financial inclusion strategy concerning access, use and quality of services are also important; –implementing the decentralisation process, with a view to developing public services and social infrastructure (in particular in the fields of education, culture, health, water and sanitation) to meet the needs of local communities; and accelerating the process of development of the regions in Tunisia's interior, a commitment shared by both parties to gradually reduce socio-economic disparities. To foster social progress, both parties undertake to continue to promote: –employment, in particular through further reforms to ensure fair access to high quality education and vocational training in line with the needs of the labour market; in the framework of an active policy to improve opportunities for entering the labour market; –an integrated and efficient Tunisian policy on social inclusion and effective social protection, in particular through strengthening the capacities of the relevant public bodies, supporting the reforms undertaken by Tunisia in the field of social cohesion, and implementing Article 67 of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement on the coordination of social security schemes and guaranteed application of principles of fair treatment in social legislation; and –inclusive social dialogue to enhance capacity to mitigate socio-economic imbalances, reduce social tensions and promote real social peace – and thus also to improve the attractiveness of the country to foreign investors. Both sides remain fully committed to the process of negotiations towards a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) and have agreed on a concrete action plan for 2018 to enable progress to be made with a view to the conclusion of the negotiating rounds in 2019. The EU and Tunisia will continue to promote the modernisation of the Tunisian economy for the benefit of all, including the most disadvantaged regions and communities, and to boost job creation, particularly for young people. Both sides undertake to increase Tunisia’s economic integration in the European market as well as in the Maghreb region. In order to strengthen the role of innovation and research in economic, social and regional development, the EU and Tunisia will work on integrating Tunisia in the European Research Area, in particular by promoting higher education, strengthening governance, mechanisms for promoting public research and technology transfers between academia and industry. 2.2.Democracy, good governance and human rights The EU and Tunisia will continue to attach particular importance to the process of democratic reform and the promotion of good governance and the rule of law, to respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and to the reinforcement of the role and participation of civil society. Both parties will continue to promote the process of political reforms through the effective implementation of the Constitution and of international commitments entered into by Tunisia. Priority aspects in the areas of good governance and respect for the rule of law will include in particular: –reinforcement of the institution of parliament and the creation and effective establishment of independent bodies; –establishment of the Constitutional Court

–consolidation of a democratic, transparent and independent electoral process; –the fight against corruption and fraud, inter alia through support for the national authority for combating corruption; –reform of the judicial system, including approximation to international standards including those of the Council of Europe; –implementation of a strategy to reform and modernise public administration, comprising improvement of services at central and local level, the introduction of evidence-based decision-making, the simplification of administrative procedures and the development of digital administration; –support for the process of decentralisation, including capacity-building and increasing the budgets of local administrations, in particular in the context of the municipal elections in May 2018; strengthening of civil society organisations, their role and their contribution to the decision-making process, and intensification of the participation of citizens, particularly of young people, in political life and the decision-making process. Priority commitments relating to respect for and promotion of human rights will include: –finalisation of the legislative harmonisation process in line with the Constitution and international standards, Tunisia’s cooperation in multilateral fora and the implementation of the commitments made under the universal periodic review mechanism; –support for efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, to combat torture (including the implementation of commitments made in the framework of the UN Committee Against Torture) and to protect and promote the rights of minorities, women, children and migrants; –support for Tunisia’s pioneering action to combat violence against women, to guarantee complete equality between men and women and to promote the role of women in all areas, especially in the economic and political spheres; –the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of association ; –the right to the protection of personal data; and –respect for human rights in the area of security. 2.3.Bringing peoples closer together, mobility and migration Bringing Tunisian and European societies closer together by stepping up exchanges between peoples, societies and cultures is a key pillar of the privileged partnership. This mobility dimension is particularly important in the implementation of the partnership for youth. Effective implementation of Tunisia’s association with Horizon 2020 and its participation in Creative Europe and Erasmus+ will be the cornerstones of these efforts. The coordinated management of migration is a political priority for both Tunisia and the EU. Both sides will seek to improve dialogue and cooperation, in particular with the implementation of the Partnership for Mobility, consolidating the fight against root causes of irregular migration, and European willingness to support the implementation of a Tunisian asylum system. This cooperation, which will also reflect the regional dimension of these issues, will include: –implementation of the Tunisian national strategy on migration; also covering asylum and international protection, and including implementation of an appropriate legislative framework; –the completion of negotiations on readmission agreements and on visa facilitation; –the good governance of legal migration through better coordination with EU Member States, while also respecting their national competences, including implementation of pilot mobility schemes and better integration of migrants in the host countries; –supporting the mobilisation of Tunisians living abroad to invest in innovative sectors in Tunisia;

–support for the prevention of irregular migration by taking better account of migration issues in development strategies; this also entails enhanced border management and awareness campaigns on the risks of irregular migration; –support for activities to prevent and combat migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, inter alia through the detection and prosecution of criminal networks; and –strengthening cooperation on returns and readmission, including through support for sustainable reintegration of Tunisian returnees.



2.4.Security and counter-terrorism The EU and Tunisia face common security challenges that require both sides to take coordinated action, and they must proceed in line with the shared values of democracy and human rights. Tunisia intends to implement its global and multisectoral strategy for combating terrorism and violent extremism. Priority areas for cooperation will include: –implementing the national counter-terrorism strategy, in particular by reinforcing and modernising legislation and security and judicial institutions in line with the democratic values enshrined in the Constitution; –speeding up the implementation of the programme to support the reform and modernisation of the security sector, including the accountability of security forces, and the deepening of this cooperation building on the progress already made; –combating money laundering and the financing of organised crime and terrorism, including effectively implementing the action plan agreed with the Financial Action Task Force; –developing a global policy for preventing radicalisation; –the issue of foreign fighters; –the development of a policy of assistance and protection for victims of terrorism; –the fight against organised crime, in particular against firearms trafficking and drugs; –supporting implementation of the national strategy for the security of borders; –strengthening cooperation with the relevant agencies of the European Union; and –cooperation in the field of disaster risk management and prevention. The European Union will also continue to participate fully in the G7 + 6 group that ensures coordination between Tunisia’s main partners. In addition, other areas of the partnership relating to security/defence could be further developed.