What it means in terms what we do: to facilitate the economic development and to provide further support for your reforms and transformation – which define the historic changes initialled by the people for the people.

Success of the transition is however in your own hands and will require continuing the political and economic reforms.

We had very good discussion today with the Prime minister and some ministers not only about how the EU could support the transition but also about what is the concrete assistance we are delivering already.

I have signed two Financing Agreements: a €20 million programme designed to improve the competitiveness of the services sector, the other, for €7 million to boost the role of civil society in Tunisia. This is a concrete contribution to the transformation process.

When I came last year, we promised to increase funding for Tunisia by €150 million over three years. And in fact we will have already committed these funds by the end of this year. So there is potential for more. Our funding will be spent on support to poor regions, access to health care, renovation of popular neighbourhood, to name only a few examples.

Tunisia is already the largest beneficiary of the SPRING programme. If reforms continue, we will mobilise additional support. It is through cooperation with Tunisia that we turn the principle “more for more” into practical instrument for transformation of autocratic regime to democracy.

Our agenda goes well beyond money. We want to have a whole range of new agreements that will help Tunisia to prosper and create jobs and economic opportunities:

First: we are working on a new “Privileged Partnership” and negotiating a new Action Programme.

Second, I have just proposed re-launch negotiations on a number of trade agreements, notably those for agricultural products, investments and services. These will open the door to the vast EU market for Tunisian agricultural products, and facilitate EU investments in Tunisia.

Third: we understand the importance of tourism for Tunisia and we are proposing a new agreement in the aviation area which will boost tourism and business.

Fourth, we are proposing a mobility partnership that will facilitate the exchange of people between Tunisia and the EU.

Finally, we are keen to intensifying the political dialogue on freedoms, democracy and reforms. I discussed with my counterparts fundamental freedoms, democratic values and reforms, because it is important that the ideals of the Revolution – social justice, respect for personal dignity and freedoms, can be achieved. Here the EU can share its own diverse experience of managing transition processes. And there were many examples, including my own country the former Czechoslovakia.

I also discussed developments in the wider region, including recent elections in Libya and Maghreb integration, for which we share very similar views.

We respect the Tunisian people. We see you as a valued neighbour. You are facing many challenges in the transformation, but you are not alone. Your success will be an example for the region and the World.”

“I have underlined that political reforms remain at the core of the accession process and that the work launched on implementing the 2010 Constitutional reform package as well as the new process to reform the constitution are steps in the right direction,” Fule said. “Clearly, this process should be as inclusive and transparent as possible,” he added.

Fule noted that, together with the Danish Presidency he underlined the quintessential importance of the issue of freedom of expression for democracy and for the EU. “The voices of dissent and opposing points of view must be heard and respected if democracy is to function,” he said.

“I have also highlighted the very positive steps related to visa and readmission. It is a big achievement that Council conclusions were adopted yesterday, clearly mentioning – for the first time – the perspective of visa liberalisation for Turkey. This, demonstrates clear commitment of the European Union to move forward on an issue which I know is so important to Turkey and its citizens. On the same day, the EU-Turkey readmission agreement has been initialed,” Fule argued.

“I know that my colleague Cecilia Malmström has been very committed to work together with both Turkey and the Member States on this first positive step. I hope what we will now be able to take the following steps as swiftly as possible, starting with the signature of the readmission agreement, adoption of the relevant action plan and ending of course with the ultimate objective of visa liberalisation for Turkish citizens.”

“As regards the accession negotiations, I can but stress that it is in everybody’s interest to give the negotiations new momentum. Therefore, the launch of the positive agenda, covering a broad range of areas of common interest with Turkey, and the work that has been undertaken in this context has been an important step forward and appreciated by everybody… Finally, I have also underlined that by respecting its contractual obligations towards the EU the implementation of the Additional Protocol would inject new life into the accession process. Several chapters could be opened and some even closed relatively quickly,” Fule added.