Answer given by Mr Füle on behalf of the Commission
22.11.2011
The European Union acted swiftly to support Tunisia and the region as a whole. The Commission acted with the maximum speed and in line with the principles of aid effectiveness and the provisions of the Financial Regulation. In many cases, the Commission needs to reach agreement with the beneficiary countries on the priorities of new assistance. In some instances, this negotiation process has taken time, also owing to the complexity of the reforms and the change of government.
Tunisia — The EU reviewed initiatives under preparation to ensure that they responded to immediate challenges. For 2011 alone, the EU doubled financial support, increasing it from the EUR 80 million foreseen to EUR 160 million. The additional funds targeted both Tunisia’s economic recovery and the need to relieve hardship and to create employment in the most impoverished parts of the country. The EU immediately provided assistance to support the preparation of the recent elections and direct support to civil society.
The EIB was among the first Institutions to confirm its strong support of investment and employment. Several projects have indeed materialised amounting to EUR 437 million. Between January and September 2011, the EIB also disbursed EUR 163 million in favour of Tunisian projects. Within the framework of the Deauville Partnership, the EIB is committed to further increase its commitment in favour of home-grown strategies for sustainable and inclusive growth.
EU humanitarian support of over EUR 80.5 million was also made available to help Tunisia to cope with the influx of refugees fleeing Libya.
Egypt — After the January 2011 uprising, and in direct response to the demands of the protestors, a civil society package amounting to EUR 20 million was launched supporting civil, political and socioeconomic rights. Furthermore, the Commission has given maximum flexibility to the implementation of the 2011-2013 National Indicative Programme with Egypt (EUR 449 million) so as to respond to the emerging post-revolution needs. Four programmes for a total of EUR 122 million were adopted in August 2011 or are currently being adopted, and the process of committing 2012 funds is under way with the aim of completing it early 2012.
The EIB stepped up its efforts to address the priorities of the new administration. To this end, the EIB anticipates in 2011 submitting to its Board of Directors for approval projects totalling EUR 700-800 million, e.g. in the area of community development, urban transport, energy, water and sanitation, and small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development.
Regional — Tunisia and Egypt will benefit from a range of regional initiatives urgently prepared by the Commission. The SPRING programme (Support for Partnership, Reform and Inclusive Growth) adopted on 26 September 2011 and with an initial budget of EUR 350 million will provide support for the Southern Neighbourhood countries. Support will be tailored to the needs of each country on the basis of the ‘more-for-more’ principle, i.e. the EU will give greater support to those countries engaged in a genuine democratisation and reform process. SPRING has been designed to simplify and accelerate the EU's decision making process, hence speeding up delivery for the countries engaged in democratisation. The EUR 22 million Neighbourhood Civil Society Facility, also adopted in September 2011, is designed to strengthen the capacity of civil society to promote reform and increase public accountability in their countries. The programme will support regional and country projects led by non-state actors. Similar amounts are envisaged for 2012 and 2013.
OJ C 154 E, 31/05/2012