Free trade agreement with EU boosts democratisation process in Tunisia

The European Parliament has approved a number of recommendations about the trade negotiations that have started between the EU and Tunisia. “A trade agreement can serve as a catalyst for political stability and economic development in Tunisia,” European Parliament member Sander Loones says. “That is very important for a country going through a democratisation process by trial and error.” Sander Loones also points out the possible influence of such a trade agreement on the flow of migrants towards Europe. “It can provide better future prospects for the people of Tunisia to build up a good life in their own country.”

Tunisia was where the Arab Spring started at the beginning of 2011. The Jasmine revolution put an end to the dictatorial regime of President Ben Ali and was the beginning of a very early stage of a democratic transition process. Despite the abysmal socio-economic situation, combining powers within Tunisian civil society has prevented the country from ending up in an entirely hopeless conflict.

Economic reforms

“The negotiations for a free trade agreement with the EU are a key element in the further democratic development in Tunisia. In-depth economic reforms in domains such as trade in services, effective investment protection and better trade access to European markets will result in growth and jobs,” says Sander Loones.