Ministry of Foreign Affairs Clarifies EU’s 60 Million Euro Payment to Tunisia

In a press release made public on Thursday, October 5, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarifies the question of the payment of 60 million euros by the European Union (EU) in favor of Tunisia.

Indeed, the ministerial department explains that following the action of the European side for “the second time, in violation of the standards in force”, to publish official documents concerning the payment of a sum of 60 million euros in favor of Tunisia explained that:

• The amount of 60 million euros mentioned concerns the program “Support for the efforts of the Tunisian government to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 and achieve economic recovery” for the year 2021, and it has no link with the protocol agreement on the strategic and global partnership signed in Carthage on July 16, 2023.
• The various official correspondences published for this purpose by European sources are notable for their lack of clarity and consistency, which has led to confusion in public opinion.
• Tunisia remains committed to its commitments arising from its strategic partnership with the European Union, in a spirit of productive and constructive partnership between the two parties, within the framework of the mutual respect which marked the signing of the memorandum of understanding. mentioned.It should be remembered that the European Commissioner in charge of the neighborhood and enlargement negotiations, Olivér Várhelyi, published tweets this Thursday, October 5, 2023, in which he reacted to the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) which affirms that Tunisia has not given its approval to receive sixty million euros in aid from Europe.