Activites

• 2011/02/03 Results of vote in Parliament
  • Results of vote in Parliament
  • T7-0038/2011 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in Tunisia. The resolution had been tabled by the Greens/ALE, EPP, GUE/NGL, S&D, ALDE, ECR groups. Referring to the departure from power of President Ben Ali on 14 January 2011 enabling the Tunisian people to regain their freedom, Parliament expresses its solidarity with the Tunisian people, who, prompted by legitimate democratic aspirations and a desire for better social conditions and easier access to employment, have brought their country to a historic political watershed. Members recall that the peaceful protest movement was violently repressed by the forces of law and order, leaving over one hundred dead, and they condemn the repressive measures and the disproportionate force employed by the security forces, whilst applauding the actions of the armed forces, which refused to fire on the demonstrators. Parliament states in the resolution that the EU has proved unable to develop a genuine foreign policy that is consistent and effective vis-à-vis its partners. It notes particularly the weakness of the EU-Tunisia cooperation mechanisms and urges the EU to draw lessons from events in Tunisia and to revise its democracy and human rights support policy so as to create an implementation mechanism for the human rights clause in all agreements with third countries. It insists that the review of the neighbourhood policy must prioritise criteria relating to the independence of the judiciary, respect for fundamental freedoms, pluralism and freedom of the press and the fight against corruption, and calls for better coordination with the Union's other policies vis-à-vis those countries. The resolution also calls for the immediate application by the EU of the decisions to freeze the ill-gotten assets of the Ben Ali family and their associates. It welcomes the announcement by the authorities of their intention to return to the State the movable and immovable assets of the RCD party;Parliament calls on the Council, the Commission and the High Representative, as appropriate:·        to promote the establishment of a task force, involving Parliament, to meet Tunisia's needs in terms of assistance for its democratic transition process, in particular as regards the preparation of free and democratic elections, support for the formation of political parties and for the development of an independent media sector and the rebuilding of an open State apparatus independent of the executive and of a fair and independent judicial system;·        to support the upcoming electoral process by sending an electoral observation mission to Tunisia;·        to be ready to redirect – and if necessary increase – funding under the various financial instruments for EU-Tunisia cooperation;·        to make provision for support for Tunisia in the form of loans with interest-rate subsidies in order to enable the Tunisian economy to diversify and offer young Tunisians the prospect of skilled jobs, as part of a genuine development contract to foster local and foreign productive investment;·        to encourage, also financially, the provision by European civil society of support and assistance to Tunisian civil society, in particular human rights organisations and the social partners.Members emphasise how important it is that all political, social, civic and democratic forces in Tunisia should be represented in the interim government, as this is the only way to secure for that government the confidence of the people and endow it with the legitimacy it needs to prepare elections and the transition to democracy. They underline the importance of creating the necessary conditions for the holding of elections, within a time frame which gives all opposition forces and all the media time to organise at national level, for a new parliamentary assembly. The assembly must have the task of drawing up a democratic constitution which strikes a proper balance between the powers of the executive and the legislature and the independence of the judiciary. Members hope that all democratic forces which pledge to respect pluralism, freedom of conscience and arrangements for the democratic handover of power will be able to take part in that election.

• 2011/02/02 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    The House held a debate, following on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the situation in the Mediterranean, in particular in Tunisia and Egypt.Motions for a resolutions closing this debate were due to be put to the vote on 3 February 2011 (Tunisia), and at the next part-session (Egypt).

• #3065
• 2011/01/31 Council Meeting
  • 3065 summary

    The Council discussed the situation in Egypt and Tunisia and adopted the following conclusions: 1. Egypt: the Council recognizes the legitimate democratic aspirations and grievances of the Egyptian population. The Council states that these should be listened to carefully and addressed through urgent, concrete and decisive measures. It deeply regrets the considerable loss of life during demonstrations in Egypt over the last few days. The Council calls on all parties to show restraint and avoid further violence. It urges the Egyptian authorities to immediately release all peaceful demonstrators who have been detained. The Council also calls upon the Egyptian authorities to restore all communication networks without delay and to guarantee unhindered access to all media, including the Internet. The Egyptian authorities are urged to: respect and protect human rights including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression and to take appropriate measures to assure the security of all citizens and their property and to protect the cultural heritage; seek a peaceful and constructive way forward based on a serious and open dialogue with all political forces ready to abide by democratic norms and with civil society; embark on an orderly transition through a broad-based government leading to a genuine process of substantial democratic reform with full respect for the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, paving the way for free and fair elections. The Council reiterates its support for a democratic, pluralist and stable Egypt as a key partner of the EU, mindful of its important regional role, and sharing the goal of building stability, peace and prosperity in the Mediterranean and Middle East region. Lastly, it states that the EU is committed to accompanying the Egyptian transformation process by mobilising, reviewing and adapting existing instruments to support political, economic and social reforms. 2) Tunisia: congratulating the courage and determination of the Tunisian people and their peaceful struggle for their rights and democratic aspirations, the Council deplores the violence of repression and loss of life during recent events. It reaffirms its full solidarity with Tunisia for the establishment of a stable democracy, the rule of law and democratic pluralism in full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It states that the partnership between Tunisia and the European Union should be strengthened. The Council also welcomes: commitments made by the transitional government on the release of political prisoners, the legalisation of democratic political parties and associations, and open up the sphere of civil society and the media; the decision to hold, as soon as possible, presidential and free legislative elections (the EU is ready in this context, to provide political support and legal assistance, technical and material to the preparation and organisation the election process); the decision to shed light on the facts of violence that occurred during the protests and on corruption. The Council also adopted conclusions stating the EU's readiness to mobilise all its instruments in support of the democratic transition in Tunisia, including assistance for holding elections. This issue of updating and reinforcing its strategy and assistance for Tunisia under the European Neighbourhood Policy in order to reflect the new situation and the aspirations of the Tunisian people was discussed. The Council adopted targeted restrictive measures, in consultation with the Tunisian authorities, against individuals responsible for diverting public funds.

Documents

• Debate in Council: 3065
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T7-0038/2011

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)