The European Union Establishes Aid Program for Tunisia and Egypt

Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union, will visit Tunisia and Egypt (if possible) next week, to assess the needs of both countries on the field and provide appropriate assistance from the European Union in the process of transition to democracy; her fellow and head of British diplomacy, William Hague, expressed London’s support to the new authorities in the Tunisian capital yesterday, as he offered financial assistance.

In Rabat, Stefan Füle, Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, announced that Brussels has not agreed on a packet for the transition of Tunisia.

“We are preparing a packet of the transition to democracy, responding to the request of the Tunisian authorities and we want to set priorities of the national indicative program for Tunisia, to help them meet their new needs,” said Füle in Rabat yesterday.

Ashton appreciated very much last week that the new Tunisian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abderruf Ounaies, did his first trip to Brussels, she said she was impressed by the specific proposals Ounaies made to her in order to support the country on short and medium term, including the support of the electoral process and the transition to encourage civil society and the fight against corruption

At the European Council last Friday, EU leaders gave the nod to this visit. The head of EU foreign policy does not yet know if she will be able to extend her trip to Egypt, as she wishes. The Commission is also preparing a comprehensive packet for the Nile country and others in the region.

Source: El País