Official visit by Martin SCHULZ, EP President to Tunisia : Final statement

EU - Tunisia (T)

official visit

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Tunis

Exterior Carthage International Airport, Tunis (2 shots)

Atmosphere at the international press conference (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, the attacks have had a very negative impact on the economy of the country and the tourism, we have to work on the two tracks, improve the economy and the security situation. I find this country to be very vibrant, there&rsquo;s an exceptional will to mobilise, to fight against these problems, the threats and the fears, it is a small country. A part from which it is by way of its societal structure the closest to Europe. So it is also a European duty to help this country with a maximum of instruments.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, our free market agreement needs to be accelerated, because the access to the European market for the Tunisian industry and services is important. On the other hand there's also the elimination of obstacles to the market relations that would create a better environment for European investors who come here. Secondly, we have to work with the youth. There must be a maximum of youth participating in our ERAMUS programmes, the ERASMUS +, because mutual knowledge of each other is often decisive.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, it is by the way a country with more women graduates than men, in the entire arab world. Europe must be aware that it constitutes an enormous opportunity for our cooperation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, the European Union needs to, with infrastructural, scientific, educational projects, and I repeat, create opportunities for the young generation.