The adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023

Question for oral answer O-000005/2024

to the Commission

Rule 136

Michael Gahler on behalf of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Udo Bullmann on behalf of the Committee on Development

Subject: The adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023

In the context of the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation, can the Commission answer the following questions on the annex to the Commission Implementing Decision on the financing of the special measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023 (C(2023)9184) entitled ‘Document d’action relatif au programme d’appui aux réformes macroéconomiques de la Tunisie (PARME)’:

1. Can the Commission explain why it was necessary to use an urgent written procedure for this special measure in December 2023, given that the budget support in the amount of EUR 150 million was announced as early as 11 June 2023, and that an urgent procedure restricts the exercise of Parliament’s powers of scrutiny?

2. A significant deterioration in fundamental values in a partner country constitutes grounds for the EU to suspend, reduce or cancel its budget support to that country. Given the significant deterioration in fundamental values in Tunisia since July 2021, can the Commission clarify how it has deemed that Tunisia currently meets the requirements to receive this new support?

3. Given that budget support is subject to the provisions of Article 27(4) of the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation, can the Commission clarify in writing the definition of conditionality for this budget support and provide further written details on the procedure and the criteria for assessing whether the conditions are met, as well as on the baseline applied for the assessment of the current state of fundamental rights in Tunisia?

4. Can the Commission clarify why it chose to disburse the budget support in a single tranche, thus not permitting a gradual disbursement based on concrete milestones or steps achieved, as provided for in Article 236(2) of the Financial Regulation, or the suspension of further disbursements should a clear erosion of fundamental values be observed?

5. What formal guarantees has the Commission received from the Tunisian authorities since September 2023 that Parliament will be allowed to visit EU-funded projects in Tunisia and thus exercise its rights of oversight and scrutiny in accordance with Article 14 of the Treaty on European Union?

Submitted:22.2.2024

Lapses:23.5.2024