In a press release, Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, stated that “the intention to support measures that will help young Tunisians find work and start their own businesses is clear”.

This statement is not orphan since it is accompanied by a financial envelope of €305 million under the ENI. This new impetus might demonstrate the EU’s willingness to revitalize the turkish accession process.
European Neighbourhood Instrument, Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance: new opportunities for Euro-Tunisian reconciliation

            In order to reduce the gaps between Member States and third countries, the European Union wishes to strengthen “privileged relations in order to establish a prosperity area and good neighbourliness” (Article 8 TEU). With this in mind, the European Union launched the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) in 2004 to promote and enhance political cooperation and progressive economic integration.

            At the beginning of 2019, focus is on partnership with Turkey, in particular through the launch of two calls for proposals aimed at improving 1) judges and prosecutors training and 2) training centres for prison staff.

            In January, European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn said that “intention to support measures that will help young Tunisians find work and create their own businesses is clear” (press release, Brussels, 23/01/2019). This statement is not orphan since it is accompanied by a €305 million financial envelope under the ENI. The latter is dedicated to actions that will offer economic growth through the development of employment opportunities for young Tunisians.

Four financing lines are defined:

• 60 million euros dedicated to the “Youth in Action” programme to improve the economic, political and social inclusion of the most vulnerable young Tunisians.
• 15 million euros dedicated to the “EU4Innovation” programme to strengthen and structure the Tunisian innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• 70 million dedicated to the “Support to local governance” programme to stimulate local development and reduce disparities as part of the decentralization process.
• 160 million euros dedicated to the private sector, urban, cultural and tourism development, as well as the modernization and reform of the Tunisian public administration.

            This envelope defined as “the highest amount ever for a single year” is part of a broader policy: while youth is more particularly targeted in calls for projects, other areas such as education or health are also targeted through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance.

            Despite the complexity of its relations with the EU, Turkey – the only country to benefit from two different external cooperation programmes – remains one of the most expected third countries and might demonstrates an EU commitment to revitalize the accession process.

            In order to go further, find all the information and news on European funding and the European Commission’s calls for proposals on our website: welcomeurope.com