DCFTA tn-eu-2016-tbs

ALECA UE-TN(Accord de Libre-Echange Complet et Approfondi)

DCFTA (Deepened and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement) between the European Union and Tunisia

By: Adnen Ben Haj

WHY ?

What They Say:

• A continuity of a historical integration process

• Good relationship but strong unexploited potential

• Updating the Association Agreement (signed in 1995)

• Effecting the Privileged Partner status of Tunisia (signed in 2012)

• Supporting Tunisia’s economic recovery

• Supporting reforms

• Guiding the regulatory approximation efforts

• New Generation negotiations

What I say: (along with people opposing this FTA)

• Over-production in developed countries

• Agricultural safety (agricultural, fishery and processed goods)

• Geo-political control plan of 2050 (and oil)

• Further incentives for Investment and investment protection

• Intellectual property rights

• Public Procurement

• Energy safety and investment

• Mobility Partnership: Easier movement of people and capital (for EU citizens)

• A chance of a lifetime to seize a developing market

Potential Impact

• + Welfare of citizens

• + Low barriers for exports

• + Development opportunities

• - Worsening of the trade balance (for developing countries)

• - Can lead to more external loans and infringement of sovereignty

• - ….. And much more (dept trap, environmental issues…)

Citizen Welfare Live Example

Trade Flows in 2013EU-Maghreb

Trade Flows after ALECAEU-MAGHREB

Chapters of the DCFTA (ALECA):

1. Technical barriers for trade

2. AGRI-PAP-FISH

3. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

4. Services and Investments

5. Intellectual property rights

6. Competition policies (protectionism)

7. Customs

8. Public procurement

9. Dispute settlement

10. Transparency

11. Sustainable Development

12. Energy

WHERE ARE WE NOW ?

• 1st round of negotiations

• EU parliament resolutions

• Official announcement of collaboration

• 2nd round of negotiations (very soon)

• Impact study for the EU done by ECORYS

Case of Morocco

Recommendations Before Signing The FTA

1. Independent and comprehensive assessment of the Tunisia-EU partnerships

2. The FTA should take into consideration the unequal competitiveness and government support for EU goods.

3. Facilitate access to all documents related to the agreement negotiations for civil society

4. Clarify the restrictions on freedom of movement of goods, services and capital as well as the free movement of persons

5. More participation from the civil society in the decision making

6. …