Re-Framing EU-Tunisia Relations

Amidst increased concern over Tunisia’s financial stability and growing migrant departures towards Europe, EU institutions and member states are struggling to define new modalities of interaction, conditionality or assistance vis a vis Tunisian authorities. Caught in a bind as to how best to engage Tunisia while avoiding to support further trends of authoritarian consolidation, key member states recently expressed backing for emergency economic support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). While this urgency mirrors the EU’s longstanding prioritisation of stabilisation and migration management, EU policy cannot lose sight of the country’s democratic backsliding since 2021 and its need for substantial socio-economic and political reforms.

Against this backdrop, the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) is pleased to organise an online seminar with leading scholars on Tunisia and EU policy in North Africa to discuss current and future dynamics affecting EU-Tunisia relations. Arguing against short-term fixes, the event will examine efforts to reframe current EU narratives on Tunisia to promote a more comprehensive understanding of the multiple political, economic and governance challenges faced by the North African state in the medium term.

Programme

Introductory remarks and Chair
Andrea Dessì, Head of the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa Programme, Istituto Affari Internazionali

Panel discussion
Tarek Megerisi, Senior Policy Fellow, European Council on Foreign Relations

Alissa Pavia, North Africa Associate Director, Atlantic Council

Riccardo Fabbiani, North Africa Project Director, Crisis Group