2007/754/EC: Decision No 1/2007 of the EU-Tunisia Association Council of 9 November 2007 setting up a Subcommittee on Human Rights and Democracy
Date: 2007-11-09
Institutions: EC–Tunisia Association Council
Subjects: Tunisia, association agreement (EU), committee (EU), democracy, human rights

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(Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory)

II

DECISIONS

COUNCIL

DECISION No 1/2007 OF THE EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

of 9 November 2007

setting up a Subcommittee on Human Rights and Democracy

(2007/754/EC)

THE EU-TUNISIA ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,

(4)

the

implementation

The EU’s
relations with the southern Mediterranean
countries are becoming increasingly dynamic as a result
of
Euro-Mediterranean
Agreements, Neighbourhood Action Plans and the conti-
nuation of
the Euro-Mediterranean partnership. The
implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership’s
priorities with each country and the approximation of
the legislation of these countries relating to those prio-
rities need to be monitored regularly.

of

(5)

(6)

the EU’s competencies,

Relations
and cooperation with the Mediterranean
countries can be developed in a way that takes account
the whole
of
Barcelona Process to be coherent and balanced and the
specificities and requirements of each Mediterranean
country.

the need for

The Association Council has already decided to set up
Association
subcommittees
Committee
institutional
framework for implementing and enhancing cooperation.

EU-Tunisian
an appropriate

of
to provide

the

Having regard to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement estab-
lishing an Association between the European Community and
its Member States, of the one part, and the Tunisian Republic,
of the other part (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Association
Agreement’),

Whereas:

for democratic principles, human rights and
Respect
freedoms forms an integral and essential
fundamental
part of the framework governing relations between the
European Union (EU) and its Mediterranean partners.

These matters are an essential component of the Asso-
ciation Agreement. They will be duly discussed in the
various bodies provided for by the Agreement.

(1)

(2)

(3)

The neighbourhood policy sets ambitious aims, based on
a mutually recognised commitment
to shared values
encompassing democracy, the rule of law and respect
for and promotion of human rights in their entirety,
including the right to development.

(7)

Article 84 of the Association Agreement provides for the
setting up of the working groups or bodies necessary for
the implementation of the Agreement,

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HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

The Association Committee shall propose to the Asso-
3.
ciation Council any other action needed to ensure that the
Subcommittee operates properly.

Article 1

1.
The Subcommittee on Human Rights and Democracy is
hereby set up within the EU-Tunisia Association Committee
(hereinafter referred to as the ‘Association Committee’).

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

Article 2

Its rules of procedure are set out in the Annex.

Done at Brussels, 9 November 2007.

Issues within the remit of the Subcommittee may also be
2.
addressed at higher levels in the political dialogue between the
European Union and Tunisia.

For the EU-Tunisia Association Council

L. AMADO

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ANNEX

Rules of Procedure of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Democracy

1. Composition and chair

The Subcommittee on Human Rights and Democracy (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Subcommittee’) shall be composed
of representatives of the Commission and the Member States, of the one part, and representatives of the Government
of the Tunisian Republic, of the other part. It shall be chaired alternately by the two parties.

2. Role

The Subcommittee shall work under the authority of the EU-Tunisia Association Committee (hereinafter referred to as
the ‘Association Committee’), to which it shall report after each meeting. The Subcommittee shall have no decision-
making power. It may, however, submit proposals to the Association Committee.

3. Topics

The Subcommittee shall examine the implementation of the EU-Tunisia Association Agreement in the sectors listed
below. It shall also serve as the principal technical mechanism for monitoring the implementation of human rights and
democracy measures under the EU-Tunisia Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan. It shall assess progress on the appro-
ximation and implementation of laws. Where relevant, cooperation between public administrations may be discussed
in accordance with the Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan. The Subcommittee shall evaluate progress in the sectors
listed below and shall propose steps that might be taken:

(a) the rule of law and democracy, including strengthening democracy and the rule of law, the independence of the

courts, access to justice and the modernisation of the legal system;

(b) implementing the principal

international conventions on human rights and fundamental freedoms,

including

consideration of the possibility of accession to optional protocols to those conventions;

(c) strengthening of national administrative and institutional capacity.

The above list is not exhaustive and other relevant subjects may be added by the Association Committee following
agreement by both parties.

A meeting of the Subcommittee may discuss matters relating to one, several or all of the above sectors.

4. Secretariat

An official of the European Commission and an official of the Government of the Tunisian Republic shall act jointly as
permanent secretaries of the Subcommittee and shall be in charge of the preparation for its meetings.

5. Meetings

The Subcommittee shall meet at least once a year. A meeting may be convened on a request from either party. The
permanent secretary of the requesting party will pass the request on to the other party. Upon receipt of a request, the
permanent secretary of the other party shall reply within 15 working days.

Each meeting of the Subcommittee shall be held at a time and place agreed by the two parties.

The meetings shall be convened for each party by its permanent secretary in agreement with the chair. Before each
meeting, the chair will be informed of the composition of each party’s delegation.

If the two parties agree, the Subcommittee may commission reports in order to obtain specific information on
previously agreed topics.

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6. Agenda for meetings

All proposals from either of the two parties for items to be entered on the Subcommittee’s agenda shall be forwarded
to the Subcommittee permanent secretaries.

The provisional agenda shall include items for which the permanent secretaries have received requests for entry on the
agenda at least fifteen days before the meeting.

The provisional agenda for each meeting shall be drawn up by the chair in consultation with the other party at least
10 days before the meeting.

Supporting documentation must be received by both parties at least seven days before the meeting. These periods may
be reduced, provided both parties agree.

The agenda shall be adopted by the Subcommittee at the beginning of each meeting.

7. Minutes

Minutes shall be taken and agreed by both permanent secretaries after each meeting. A copy of the minutes shall be
forwarded by the permanent secretaries of
the Association
Committee.

the Subcommittee to the secretaries and chair of

8. Publication

The meetings of the Subcommittee shall not be public and minutes of those meetings shall be confidential.