The EU seeks to develop particular close relationship to Tunisia, its geographical neighbour, and to support Tunisia's economic and political reforms. The relationship emphasizes close cooperation on democratic reform, economic modernization, and migration issues.

On 14 September 2016, the European Parliament voted a resolution on EU relations with Tunisia in the current regional context. In June 2016 MEPs approved €500 million in EU loans to Tunisia on favourable terms, to help it reduce its external debt and consolidate its democratic mechanisms.

EU - Tunisia (8th parliamentary term)

The EU and Tunisia have close and long-standing trade relations. Tunisia was the first partner in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood to sign and implement an Association Agreement with the EU. The EU is the biggest foreign investor in Tunisia, accounting for 85% of the foreign direct investment (FDI) stock in the country. The current situation in the country is the topic of the discussion in the EP.

During October II plenary the European Parliament debated how to end the political crisis in Tunisia. Tunisian President Kais Saied currently holds almost all executive, legislative and judicial powers, after he dismissed the prime minister and suspended parliament in July 2021.

In September Saied also suspended, by presidential decree the country’s Constitution. Saied appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister, making her the first woman in the country's history to hold the office. Bouden Romdhane has yet to name a government. With thousands of Tunisians demonstrating in the streets in support of or in opposition to the president’s decisions, fears are growing that political divisions could spiral into violent confrontations between these rival camps.

EU - Tunisia

EP Plenary session - Situation in Tunisia

Delegations for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, including the EU-Morocco, EU-Tunisia and EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees Constitutive meeting

EP Plenary session - The adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023

DROI workshop on ' Implementation mechanisms of the Human Rights Clause. Case studies on Ethiopia, Tunisia and Vietnam '

DMAG Joint Parliamentary Committee - Election of the Chair of the delegation

EP Plenary session - Response to the situation in Tunisia

EP Plenary session - Political situation in Tunisia

David SASSOLI, EP President welcomes Kais SAIED, Tunisian President

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Kais SAIED, Tunisian President

AFET Committee - Exchange of views with Ali NAFTI, Tunisian Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad

Constituent meeting of the Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, including the EU-Morocco, EU-Tunisia and EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees - DMAG

Presentation of the study : ' The EU-Tunisia Privileged Partnership – What Next ? '

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Youssef CHAHED, Prime Minister of TunisiaPress point

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Youssef CHAHED, Prime Minister of Tunisia

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with Youssef CHAHED, Prime Minister of Tunisia- Press point

2nd European Parliament-Tunisian Parliament Joint Parliamentary Meeting

The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea. Closing statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement.

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: closing statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea.

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: MEPs debate (part 2)

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: MEPs debate (part 1)

The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea. Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the European Council and by Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: opening statements by Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the EU and Olivér VÁRHELYI, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement

MEPs vote on the following topics: Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls - Motion for resolutions; Tunisia: Recent attacks against freedom of expression and association and trade unions, in particular the case of journalist Noureddine Boutar - Motion for resolutions; Cambodia: the case of opposition leader Kem Sokha - Motion for resolutions; The EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders - Hannah NEUMANN (Greens/EFA, DE).

Voting session, including a Motion for resolution on poisoning of hundreds of school girls in Iran

Tunisia’s democratic system is at risk given its lack of separation of powers. The Parliament is expected to call on Tunisian president Kais Saied to enter into dialogue with the country’s major political parties and civil society representative to end the political crisis in Tunisia.

Situation in Tunisia: closing statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of European Union

Situation in Tunisia: MEPs debate

Tunisia’s democratic system is at risk given its lack of separation of powers. MEPs debate on the tunisian situation with Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World. Parliament is expected to call on Tunisian president Kais Saied to enter into dialogue with the country’s major political parties and civil society representative to end the political crisis in Tunisia.

Situation in Tunisia: opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HR/VP of the European Union

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Kaïs SAÏED, President of Tunisia, in the European Parliament in Brussels; arrival, welcome, and roundtable

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Kaïs SAÏED, President of Tunisia: arrival, welcome, and roundtable

Visit of Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister to the EP in Brussels. Arrival, welcome by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, and roundtable.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister: arrival and roundtable

Antonio TAJANI, EP President and Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister, give a joint press conference following their meeting, in Brussels.

Joint press point by Antonio TAJANI, EP President and by Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister, following their meeting

Meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) in the EP in Brussels, with Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister.

Exchange of views with Youssef CHAHED, Tunisian Prime Minister: extracts from the meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

On the occasion of his official visit to Tunisia, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, meets with Youssef CHAHED, Head of Government of Tunisia and expresses himself in front of the press.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Tunisia: meeting with Youssef CHAHED, Head of Government of Tunisia and extracts from the press point

On the occasion of his official visit to Tunisia, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, meets with Mohamed ENNACEUR, President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Tunisia: meeting with Mohamed ENNACEUR, President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People

On the occasion of his official visit to Tunisia, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, addresses in the plenary session.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Tunisia: extracts from the address in the plenary session

On the occasion of his official visit to Tunisia, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, expresses himself in front of the press.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Tunisia: extracts from the press conference

On the occasion of his official visit to Tunisia, by Antonio TAJANI, EP President visits the Bardo National Museum.

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Tunisia: visit of the Bardo National Museum

MEPs and members of Tunisia’s Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) will meet in Brussels to discuss present and future EU-Tunisia relations, including the ongoing talks on a Free Trade Agreement, the participation of women in public life and the fight against money laundering. Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Mohamed ENNACEUR, President of the Tunisian Assembly of the Representatives of the People and Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC.

Tunisian week at the EP: extracts from the opening statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Mohamed ENNACEUR, President of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People and by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union

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