The principles on which the DCFTA is based
The DCFTA draft agreement fully respects Tunisia’s sovereignty to choose its development model and set its priorities.
The major principles that have guided the DCFTA negotiations are clear:
- The full respect of the Tunisia’s sovereignty to choose its development model and set its priorities.
- An “asymmetrical” approach that is always in favor of Tunisia
- A respect for the different development levels of the negotiated sectors as well as their competitiveness levels.
- An appropriate delimitation of the transition periods
- The possibility of excluding sensitive products or their partial liberalization
- A progressive and flexible evolution of the agreement
- The pledges taken in the context of these negotiations and other discussion forums will be consistent with the national reforms.
- Mutual willingness to involve and engage the different economic stakeholders and the civil society
- The content and calendar the negotiations will be transparent;
The European Union has expressed its readiness to adapt its proposals to the calendar of economic reforms and to the priorities freely chosen by Tunisia. In addition, the DCFTA does not impose any schedule or any reform adverse to Tunisia interests.
