EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014

Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union

DMAG_PV(2011)0615_1

MINUTES

of the meeting of 15 June 2011, from 10h15 to 11h45

Brussels

The meeting opened at 10h25 on Wednesday, 15 June 2011, with Pier Antonio Panzeri (Chair) in the chair.

1. Adoption of draft agenda (PE 462.187)

The agenda was adopted

2. Approval of draft minutes of meeting of 5 May (PE 462.181) and 24 May 2011 (PE 462.188)

The minutes were approved.

3. Chair’s announcements

The Chair announced that the next EP-Mauritania Interparliamentary meeting would be held on 22-23 June 2011 in Brussels and the legislative elections in would be held on 23 October 2011 instead of June. Accordingly he pointed out the changes in the calendar of meetings. He also announced that a joint workshop on "the role of women in the democratisation process and governance changes in North Africa and the Middle East societies" will take place on 20 June in the European Parliament.

4. Exchange of views on the existing political situation and reform process in Mauritania

Ms Karolina Stasiak, Mauritania Desk Officer from the EEAS, gave information about the political and economic relations between the EU and Mauritania and current political and security situation in Mauritania. She mentioned that Mauritania is an PV\876179EN.doc PE462.197v02-00

EN United in diversity EN important partner for the EU in geographical, economic and security terms. Mauritania is a member of the ACP, Euromed and Maghreb Union and also an important commercial partner of the EU because of its rich mine and fisheries resources. Although the EU was ranking as the first trading partner of Mauritania for a long time, with the improvement of commercial relations with China, EU now ranks second after China. Especially the Fisheries Partnership Agreement constitutes an important part of the economic relations between the EU and Mauritania. Mauritania is also transit country for illegal migration from Sub-Saharan Africa to Europe and the trafficking and terrorism problems in the Sahel region has far-reaching impact not only in the region but also in Europe.

She mentioned that the development assistance and political relations between the EU and Mauritania was suspended after the coup d'état in Mauritania in 2008 in accordance with Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. Following the signing of the Dakar Agreement and return to constitutional order in 2009, the political relations resumed in January 2010. In March 2010 Mauritania signed a series of good governance commitments with the EU. These commitments were regarding human rights, reforming the electoral process, decentralization of local governance, justice and legal system, economic governance, managing resources and immigration. These commitments are constantly monitored by the EU Delegation in Nouakchott and also by the EU Member States. The return of Mauritania on the international stage was also confirmed by the holding of the Round Table for Mauritania in June 2010 in Brussels. This event helped to review the reforms undertaken by the government and its commitment to good governance. During this meeting, Mauritania has received from its financial partners promises up to 2.5 billion Euros. With the normalizing of relations, the EU re-launched the 10th Economic Development Fund (EDF) program for Mauritania with a budget of € 156 million until 2013 and with two focus areas: supporting good governance and regional integration and infrastructure. The National Indicative Program (PIN) also foresees € 40 million for budgetary support for other sectors like immigration and Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations.

Ms Stasiak said that despite some problems the political situation in Mauritania is relatively stable and President Abdul Aziz is in solid position. The demonstrations in the context of Arab spring were rather small and sporadic generally asking for better life conditions. Government has been responsive to the demands of the protestors and launched several populist measures such as reducing food prices (known as Opération Solidarité) and increasing the employment opportunities in agriculture, fisheries mining and public sectors. National inclusive dialogue, which was envisaged by the Dakar agreement in order to reconcile the different political fractions in Mauritania, is progressing slowly. Recently there have been calls from the opposition parties to strengthen the national inclusive dialogue. The municipal and legislative elections will be held on 1 October 2011 and there is a pre-election feeling in the country. Following the economic crisis, the economic situation remains fragile and poverty level is still very high. Oil revenues were less than expected and the GDP level has decreased recently. In June the Mauritanian government has launched a national strategy to deal with illegal migration which aims to reduce the immigration level and support the migrants already in the country. The EU also will support this strategy with 8 million Euro.

She emphasized that security challenges in Sahel region is greatly impacts on Mauritania. It plays very active role in dealing with the terrorist activities and various PE462.197v02-00 2/9 PV\876179EN.doc EN types trafficking going on in the region. There is a holistic strategy in place in Mauritania to combat with terrorism which not only concerns security matters but also education, culture and religious freedom issues. EU Strategy for security and development in the Sahel region will be launched in the third quarter of this year and it aims to support the region countries with concrete measures of development, good governance as well as political and providing diplomatic support to help the region countries to talk to each other. For this strategy, EU seeks to get the support of other states and so far the US and Canada expressed their interest.

Ms Benarab expressed that Ms Stasiak draw a too optimistic picture about the situation in Mauritania and reminded that there are still ongoing protests by the students and trade unions against the authoritarian regime and the poverty and unemployment level in the country is very high.

Mauritanian Ambassador Mr Brahim Khlil emphasized that President Abdul Aziz introduced draconian measures to combat with corruption and poor management in the country. Against Ms Benarab’s argument, he said that it is quite normal that trade unions are criticizing the government and asking for better life conditions. Regarding counterterrorism measures, Mauritania recently set up a special unit to monitor borders in cooperation with Mali authorities. Cooperation with the ECOWAS is not enough and EU’s support is important in procuring resources to tackle with terrorism.

Mr Panzeri pointed out that despite positive developments there is still a lot to be done in terms of democratization and achieving a full inclusive national dialogue in Mauritania. He asked if EU is going send a observation mission for the municipal and legislative elections to be held in October 2011.

Ms Stasiak mentioned that Mauriatanian government is aware and proved responsive to the demands of protestors by launching various economic and employment programs. EU is trying to encourage Mauritania in democratic reform.

5. Exchange of views with Mr Najib Chebbi (Chair of PDP) on the current situation in Tunisia

Mr Chebbi mentioned that victory of the revolution is also victory of the people who believed in change like the EP who has been supporting the democratic aspirations of Tunisian people since 1990s. He underlined that Tunisia is now a free country with full freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. There are currently 88 political parties and new electoral law which create proportional system and independent high committee to supervise the elections. The elections were postponed from July to 23 October as they need more time to prepare for fair and transparent elections.

Mr Chebbi emphasized that in addition to human loss, the revolution also came with economic cost. The growth level is zero, unemployment level is very high, tourism is at a standstill and investment has gone down. Tunisian people are now proud having been the origin of Arab Spring, but unless economic situation is recovered and Tunisian people can have better living conditions, the aim of the revolution would not be achieved. The transition government would last for a period of 2 to 5 months. Since the political party system is not developed, Tunisia needs efficient and concrete political assistance from the EU. In his opinion, employment and regional development issues need to be tackled urgently otherwise democracy will not be stable in Tunisia. It is PV\876179EN.doc 3/9 PE462.197v02-00 EN paramount to start with major infrastructure works like roads, hospital and schools. He mentioned that given its geographical proximity, stability and prosperity of Tunisia are vital for European security. In order to achieve a successful political transition and economic recovery, Tunisia needs support of the EU.

Ms Romero asked Mr Chebbi whether political parties will have enough representation in the electoral polling stations to cover all polling stations across Tunisia; how many parties will have the ability to be present at the polling stations; how far the commitment of having gender equality in the new constitutional assembly is a realistic objective and whether Mr Chebbi’s party is supporting this and what he is thinking about EU’s democratic political assistance to the rest of the region.

Mr Pallone asked Mr Chebbi to give brief information about Progressive Democratic Party’s election discourse and brief description of the other main political parties that will take part in the elections. He also asked Mr Chebbi’s opinion about the existing EU support to the region and greater economic integration in the Southern Mediterranean.

Ms Benarab wanted learn what kind of resources and strategies could be used to create jobs. She mentioned that the strategy of the previous government was to have industrial tourism which is blind to local realities and asked if Tunisia think of moving towards other types of tourism such as environmental and health tourism. She also suggested that regional integration in the North Africa would create better perspective for economy and employment creation in the region. She asked Mr Chebbi if he thinks that there are enough competent republican people in the state who can truly commit themselves to democratic transition.

Mr Panzeri underlined that for a transparent and fair elections having right kind of observation and structure are important. He asked whether there will be public announcements to recruit staff for polling stations and vote counting and these people will receive adequate training and if anything is done to ensure correct representation for larger and smaller constituencies. He wanted to learn how a stable government could be achieved in the presence of so many parties and whether an election threshold will be applied in the elections. He expressed his concern that lack of political stability and economic stagnation in Tunisia might create a vicious circle and asked what his party is planning to do about the economic security problems.

Mr Chebbi mentioned that currently there are two big political party groups: centre left (including PDP) and Islamists, both receiving equal voting support. Islamists have a lot of financial resources allegedly coming from the Gulf countries and they want to build an ideological state which, Mr Chebbie thinks, won't create a positive perspective and image for Tunisia. He recalled that the adopts proportional representation, 'first past the post', so there will be no major winner of these elections and elected party will have to build coalition. The PDP is in favour of a centre left coalition and want to counterbalance the religious tendencies. There is no election threshold. There are 27 constituencies and they have balanced representation in accordance with their magnitude. An independent electoral commission was set up to organize the elections and there are many foreigners, including the EU experts, in the country to help prepare the elections. He also pointed that electoral list will be designed to observe gender equality. As highlights from the PDP election campaign, he emphasized that tackling with unemployment, enhancing regional development especially inland areas and promoting foreign direct investment with more added values PE462.197v02-00 4/9 PV\876179EN.doc EN should be the priority areas to be tackled in the following period. He underlined that if the region reaches to a certain stability level and achieves market economy, this would also promote Mediterranean partnership and south-south integration. Fortunately, European companies did not so much move out of Tunisia as the revolution was not violent and not involving security risk. Security forces are being reconstructed and depoliticized for the time being.

6. Any other business

None.

7. Date and place of next meeting

The chair announced that the next DMAG meeting will be held on 20 June and then the IPM with Mauritania will be held on 22-23 June.

The meeting closed at 11h50.

PV\876179EN.doc 5/9 PE462.197v02-00 EN ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/JELENLÉTI ÍV/ REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/ PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA

Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Ufficio di presidenza/Prezidijs/Biuras/Elnökség/ Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*) Pier Antonio Panzeri (P)

Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/Képviselõk/ Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter Malika Benarab-Attou, Salvatore Iacolino, Carmen Romero López

Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Supplenti/ Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantys nariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/Supleanţi/Náhradníci/Namestniki/ Varajäsenet/Suppleanter Francisco José Millán Mon

187 (2) Raimon Obiols

193 (3)

49 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/Punto del orden del día/Bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/Tagesordnungspunkt/Päevakorra punkt/Ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/Point OJ/Punto all'ordine del giorno/Darba kārtības punkts/Darbotvarkės punktas/ Napirendi pont/Punt fuq l-aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/Ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/Bod programu schôdze/ Točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/Föredragningslista punkt)

PE462.197v02-00 6/9 PV\876179EN.doc EN Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Osservatori/ Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/Opazovalci/ Tarkkailijat/Observatörer

По покана на председателя/Por invitación del presidente/Na pozvání předsedy/Efter indbydelse fra formanden/Auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/Με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Su invito del presidente/Pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/Pirmininkui pakvietus/Az elnök meghívására/Fuq stedina tal-President/ Op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/Na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/Na pozvanie predsedu/Na povabilo predsednika/Puheenjohtajan kutsusta/På ordförandens inbjudan Karolina Stasiak, EEAS

Najib Chebbi, President of the PDP

Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/Conselho/ Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*)

Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Commissione/Komisija/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*)

Европейска служба за външна дейност/Evropská služba pro vnější činnost/EU-Udenrigstjenesten/Europäischer Auswärtiger Dienst/Euroopa välisteenistus/Ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης/European External Action service/Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior/Service européen pour l'action extérieure/Servizio europeo per l’azione esterna/Eiropas Ārējās darbības dienests/Europos išorės veiksmų tarnyba/Európai Külügyi Szolgálat/Servizz Ewropew għall-Azzjoni Esterna/Europese dienst voor extern optreden/Europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych/Serviço Europeu para a Acção Externa/Serviciul european pentru acţiune externă/Európska služba pre vonkajšiu činnosť/Evropska služba za zunanje delovanje/Euroopan ulkosuhdehallinto/Europeiska avdelningen för yttre åtgärd (*)

Други институции/Otras instituciones/Ostatní orgány a instituce/Andre institutioner/Andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/Other institutions/Autres institutions/Altre istituzioni/Citas iestādes/Kitos institucijos/Más intézmények/ Istituzzjonijiet oħra/Andere instellingen/Inne instytucje/Outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/Iné inštitúcie/Druge institucije/Muut toimielimet/Andra institutioner/organ

PV\876179EN.doc 7/9 PE462.197v02-00 EN Други участници/Otros participantes/Ostatní účastníci/Endvidere deltog/Andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/Επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/Autres participants/Altri partecipanti/Citi klātesošie/Kiti dalyviai/Más résztvevők/Parteċipanti oħra/Andere aanwezigen/ Inni uczestnicy/Outros participantes/Alţi participanţi/Iní účastníci/Drugi udeleženci/Muut osallistujat/Övriga deltagare SE. M. Ould Brahim Khlil, Ambassadeur de Mauritanie

Mounir Ben Rjiba, Ambassade de Tunisie

Faouzia Mebarki, Ambassade d'Algérie

Fathi B'Chir, journaliste

Секретариат на политическите групи/Secretaría de los Grupos políticos/Sekretariát politických skupin/Gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/Γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/Secrétariat des groupes politiques/Segreteria gruppi politici/Politisko grupu sekretariāts/Frakcijų sekretoriai/Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/Segretarjat gruppi politiċi/Fractiesecretariaten/Sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/Secretariate grupuri politice/Sekretariát politických skupín/Sekretariat političnih skupin/Poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/Gruppernas sekretariat PPE Andrea Laskava, Thierry Masson, Anne-Michelle de Mathelin

S&D Teresa Moleres, Marisol Guirao

ALDE Isabella Marzullo

ECR

Verts/ALE

GUE/NGL

EFD

NI

Кабинет на председателя/Gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/Formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/Γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/Pirmininko kabinetas/Elnöki hivatal/Kabinett tal-President/Kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/ Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/Urad predsednika/Puhemiehen kabinetti/Talmannens kansli Elyes Ghanmi

Кабинет на генералния секретар/Gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/Generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/Γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/Gabinetto del Segretario generale/Ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/Generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/Főtitkári hivatal/Kabinett tas- Segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/Gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/Urad generalnega sekretarja/Pääsihteerin kabinetti/Generalsekreterarens kansli

PE462.197v02-00 8/9 PV\876179EN.doc EN Генерална дирекция/Dirección General/Generální ředitelství/Generaldirektorat/Generaldirektion/Peadirektoraat/Γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/Direzione generale/Ģenerāldirektorāts/Generalinis direktoratas/Főigazgatóság/Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/Generalni direktorat/ Pääosasto/Generaldirektorat DG PRES

DG IPOL

DG EXPO

DG COMM

DG PERS

DG INLO

DG TRAD

DG INTE

DG FINS

DG ITEC Правна служба/Servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/Juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/Servizio giuridico/Juridiskais dienests/Teisės tarnyba/Jogi szolgálat/Servizz legali/Juridische Dienst/Wydział prawny/ Serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/Pravna služba/Oikeudellinen yksikkö/Rättstjänsten

Секретариат на комисията/Secretaría de la comisión/Sekretariát výboru/Udvalgssekretariatet/Ausschusssekretariat/Komisjoni sekretariaat/Γραμματεία επιτροπής/Committee secretariat/Secrétariat de la commission/Segreteria della commissione/Komitejas sekretariāts/Komiteto sekretoriatas/A bizottság titkársága/Segretarjat tal-kumitat/Commissiesecretariaat/Sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/Secretariat comisie/Sekretariat odbora/Valiokunnan sihteeristö/Utskottssekretariatet Aydan Bahadir, Isabelle Montaoya

Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter Nicole Devos

* (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Priekšsēdētājs/Pirmininkas/ Elnök/President/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande

(VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Vice-Président/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/Pirmininko pavaduotojas/Alelnök/Viċi President/Ondervoorzitter/ Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande

(M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot

(F) = Длъжностно лице/Funcionario/Úředník/Tjenestemand/Beamter/Ametnik/Υπάλληλος/Official/Fonctionnaire/Funzionario/ Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik/Virkamies/Tjänsteman

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