After the revolution : Europe and the transition in Tunisia / Susi Dennison ... [et al.]

"March 2011."

The place to start the battle for the post-revolutionary southern neighbourhood is the place where the wave of revolutions started: Tunisia. Tunisia could either become the first country in the North African region to consolidate a genuine democratic system or it could become simply another failed revolution. Either outcome would have huge implications, both symbolically and for the dynamics of the region. This memo, based on a visit by the authors to Tunis in late February to meet key members of the democracy movement, analyses the fragile situation in Tunisia. Although the country is not in chaos, it faces huge challenges in consolidating democracy. It needs to strengthen independent civil society and the media, as well as building a functioning economy that meets the needs of the rural poor. Although Tunisians are bitter about the EU's failure to challenge the Ben Ali regime, they know they will need European help. The EU now has the opportunity to make amends for past failures by offering prompt and generous help that Tunisia needs and deserves. This will serve European interests in helping to consolidate a more stable and pluralistic southern neighbourhood. To show that it stands with Tunisia's move toward democracy, the EU should share its transitional experiences on building democratic institutions, reforming the security sector and transitional justice, and offer a rule of law mission to support transition over the longer term. In addition to financial assistance, it should also offer high profile support for Tunisia as an attractive environment for business and tourism, encouraging mobility between Europe and North Africa, as well as offering access to EU markets in agricultural products.