African Manager | 24 March 2026
Tunisia–EU Association Agreement: Tunisia losing out
Disadvantaged, even harmed, Tunisia no longer sees in its association agreement with the European Union the benefits it had hoped to secure when it was concluded some thirty years ago.
Observers say Tunisia has not, in fact, reaped the expected benefits from the agreement, pointing to a clear lack of parity in logistical and financial terms, particularly in areas related to migration management and investment flows.
Meanwhile, President Kais Saied called for a review of the country’s comprehensive partnership agreement with the European Union, describing the arrangement as unfair and unbalanced.
These remarks reflect growing domestic and geopolitical pressures, notes The Arab Weekly, referring to a phone call between the Tunisian head of state and Emmanuel Macron, during which Saïed urged that the agreement be made “more balanced, fair and equitable.”
He also stressed Tunisia’s determination to recover “stolen funds,” insisting that these assets belong to the Tunisian people and should not be lost due to legal delays or procedural complexities that have so far yielded no results.
This partnership framework, which has evolved over the decades, was initially established as a cooperation agreement in 1995 and entered into force in 1998. It was modernized in 2012 and further strengthened in 2023 through a strategic memorandum of understanding covering trade, energy cooperation, and migration management. Despite this long-standing relationship, Tunisian authorities are now openly questioning its balance and effectiveness.
Observers cited by The Arab Weekly argue that Tunisia has not reaped the expected benefits, particularly due to a marked imbalance in logistical and financial terms, especially in migration management and investment flows.
The EU remains Tunisia’s leading trading partner, absorbing around 70% of its exports. Yet critics say this relationship has not translated into a comparable level of investment or development support.
In Tunisia, political voices suggest that Saïed’s stance is also shaped by broader regional and international dynamics, with rising tensions in the Middle East making it more urgent to reassess existing frameworks. Some analysts believe the current context is pushing Tunisia to consider emergency aid mechanisms similar to those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saïed also stressed the need for stronger cooperation on the voluntary return of irregular migrants. He stated that Tunisia has “given a great deal” and is itself a victim of what he described as an unjust global economic system, as well as criminal networks operating in sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean that exploit migrants’ vulnerability.
He urged international organizations and Northern countries to take full responsibility, reiterating that Tunisia has consistently refused to act as a transit or settlement hub for migration.
Toward a renewed framework of international legitimacy
The two leaders also discussed the need to work toward establishing a renewed framework of international legitimacy. Saïed argued that the post-war global order has been gradually eroding. Both sides stressed the importance of developing new concepts and approaches to replace outdated models that no longer reflect current realities.
In Tunisia, analysts believe the fundamental issue lies in structural imbalances within the partnership, noting a “real problem of unequal opportunities” between Tunisia and the EU, particularly in economic investment and migration policy. The EU, they argue, benefits significantly from migration agreements, while Tunisia bears a disproportionate logistical and financial burden.
The issue of Tunisian nationals abroad also features prominently in the debate. With around 1.5 million Tunisians living overseas, analysts say greater protection and professional recognition should be granted to skilled migrants, particularly engineers and doctors, whose contributions are increasingly valued in host countries.
Tunisia also remains a major departure point for both its own nationals and African migrants attempting dangerous sea crossings to Europe.
