Second high-level political dialogue on ‘security and counter-terrorism’: European Union and Tunisia renew their cooperation
Brussels, 19 January 2017
The European Union (EU) and Tunisia held their second high-level political dialogue meeting today. The participants shared their respective analyses of and responses to the transnational threat of terrorism, provided updates on existing cooperation on security and combating terrorism, and discussed how they could implement the many measures that had already been launched to address the challenges raised by terrorism and radicalisation.
Both parties also welcomed the fact that the tripartite consultation meeting with representatives of civil society had been held in Tunis on 13 January 2017, as planned under the first dialogue in September 2015.Aware of the particular challenges arising from the transnational nature of the terrorist threat, the European Union and Tunisia renewed their commitment to strengthen their bilateral cooperation on security and counter-terrorism.
The European Union commended the efforts made by the Tunisian authorities, which had brought a tangible improvement of the security situation in the country. The European Union undertook to continue its strong support for the Tunisian authorities in the fight against terrorism, which the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini had reiterated last November during her visit to Tunis. The EU has succeeded in increasing its cooperation with Tunisia, on the basis of the proposals from the High Representative/Vice-President, the Joint Communication on ‘Strengthening support for Tunisia’ and the Conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of 17 October 2016, and through the multilateral work of the G7+6 mechanism in Tunis coordinated by the EU Delegation in Tunisia.
Tunisia’s new national strategy on fighting extremism and terrorism, which was adopted on 7 November 2016, provides an excellent basis for an inclusive approach that involves civil society players and respects the country's constitutional principles as well as the international standards on human rights and fundamental freedoms reflected in the Tunis Declaration.