Tunisia. The EU wants to support the reform of the security sector

November 20, 2013 Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Tunisia, already destabilized by a major political crisis, is facing a wave of attacks and political assassinations. Safety devices are reinforced. (Credit: lyonnews.com)

(BRUSSELS2) Some may remember the unfortunate word of the French Foreign Minister, shortly before the fall of Ben Ali, the Tunisian President, in the French National Assembly. Michele Alliot-Marie then proposed “ French know-how makes it possible to resolve situations of this type (...) so that the right to demonstrate can be done at the same time as our security " (listen to BFM). The idea in the context was sulphurous.

Security reform in the face of the challenges of terrorism and radicalization

Today, in a more democratic phase in Tunisia, the idea is taken up and followed at European level. The 28 Foreign Ministers thus opened the door, on Monday (18 November), to a strong commitment by the European Union in Tunisia in favor of a " real reform of the security sector, (...) in particular the effective fight against terrorism in compliance with the law”. Reform all the more urgent as " in a context of regional instability, Tunisia is facing major security challenges in the fight against terrorism and radicalization, organized crime and transnational trafficking, as recent events have shown ". The prerequisite is " the rapid finalization of the "peer review" of the security sector currently underway (Who) could enable the European Union to engage ».

Availability of EUBAM Libya for border security

The EUBAM Libya European mission is also highlighted for its " potential role " in the " border security cooperation (458 km of common borders between Tunisia and Libya). Ministers welcome of Tunisia's commitment with its neighbors in the fight against common threats ».

Migration and asylum

Cooperation in the area of migration and asylum will also be strengthened. " Negotiations for an EU-Tunisia Mobility Partnership have been finalized and internal procedures have been launched in view of its imminent signature. For Europeans, the challenges of illegal immigration - like the tragedy in Lampedusa - must be " dealt with globally, including within the framework of the task force for the Mediterranean”.

More generally, the EU “confirms its commitment to support Tunisia in its democratization process, aimed at building a rule of law, respectful of the fundamental rights of its citizens”.

Download the conclusions.