EU-Tunisia: Illusion of peace and shared prosperity

The long-awaited Tunisia 2020 investment conference was concluded on 30 November. During this conference, The European Union reiterated its support to Tunisia, but the high cost of the EU policy-based loan strategy is in stark contrast with the meager support provided to the country. While the communicated objective of the European Union in the region is to promote employment and socioeconomic resilience as the best counter-measure to radicalization and migration, it is difficult to believe that austerity policies and an increased dependence on European countries can contribute to the effort of an “area of peace and shared prosperity”.