Amjad Bashir, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Madam President, firstly I would like to thank the rapporteur for his diligent and comprehensive work on this report. It has focus and presents clear ideas. Our relationship with Tunisia remains pivotal in terms of providing stable government, economic growth and a more pluralistic society. Economic development will be the bedrock of Tunisia’s stability, security and transformation into a successful democracy.

So let us encourage growth within the SME sector, and internal reforms to reduce bureaucracy and stimulate growth. Carefully managed macroeconomic assistance can help, but it must be coupled with tangible microeconomic benefits. In other words, one can build bridges and airports, but training teachers and addressing issues like water shortage is how to really win over the Tunisian man in the street.

It is also essential that we share best security and defence practices in order to help defeat extremists, but let us not forget that without stability in Libya, peace in Tunisia will be difficult to achieve. I support the efforts of the Tunisian Government to modernise and liberalise their economy to meet new domestic, regional and global demands. A strong and diverse economy will create jobs, opportunity and prosperity, allowing the country to achieve its aim of participating fully in the international community.

(The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question under Rule 162(8))