“Our aim is to support the new Tunisia’s democratic and economic transition through projects to encourage growth and employment for young people, development and the modernisation of infrastructure. This was the pledge we made to the people of Tunisia following the Revolution. Through this action we will be improving the daily life of Tunisians. We are preparing the future of the younger generations.” 

"The stabilisation of Libya is a key to allow democratic transition to take place according to the expectations of the Libyan people. With these three programmes [focusing on education, health care, security and the rule of law] the EU is bringing its diversity of experience and expertise to support the new Libya in setting-up their own solutions to their most pressing challenges."

 As they are the youngest members of society, it is children who can carry forward the message of respect for and protection of archaeological sites. Kids will turn into young men and women and they will pass what they have learned on to future generation.

 "During the past year we have had in-depth policy dialogue across a wide variety of sectors. The span of the topics covered today demonstrates that our bilateral partnership with the Palestinian Authority is both ambitious and comprehensive. This is the case because the PA itself has set the bar very high and has demonstrated its ability to be a full partner for the EU within our Neighbourhood Policy. [..]The PA is the first partner in the Neighbourhood with whom we have concluded a new Action Plan. The real challenge will thus be to move ahead with our mutual commitments despite the difficult political and financial situation that the PA is in. The hard work must and will continue in the spirit of trust and openness, which guided all our discussions today." 

 "During the Tunisian revolution, marginalised populations demanded more dignified living conditions, decent jobs and a more inclusive economic and social development. The European Union continues to contribute concretely to the achievement of these objectives and takes the difficulties encountered by the population head on. Through our new programme [a €33 million financial assistance programme for the renovation of 119 working-class neighbourhoods in Tunisia and the improvement of the lives of hundreds of thousands of people living in these areas], we will improve the lives of thousands of people living in many disadvantaged neighbourhoods." 

 “Through this second phase of support to the Association Agreement and the transition, the European Commission expresses its confidence in the transition process undertaken since the revolution. In addition to supporting the efforts of the Tunisian authorities to sustain the democratic gains of the revolution, the EU will help the actors of civil society who have a vital role to play in creating a state of law, defining public policy, respect of human rights, freedom of association, expression and freedom of media." 

"Standing up for Human Rights, democracy and the rule of law is the silver thread that runs through EU external relations."

 It is remarkable that the EU was able to finance projects retrospectively or mobilise large sums of money so quickly or even change the rules so that different political actors could fully participate in the country’s political and social life.

“Our relations [with Algeria] are now strong enough to enable us to embrace the whole spectrum of issues between us, and to speak in confidence. As the Minister said, we have appreciated the ongoing reform process and repeated the readiness of the EU to support it through a tailor-made approach to Algeria's own needs."

 “Through this new Program [a 68-million-Euro program to support far-reaching reforms in the economic and social sectors and in the field of good governance], the European Commission would like to support the recovery process of the Tunisian economy undertaken since the revolution and pursued by the government that came to power after the elections of October 2011”, said Štefan Füle, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy. “Apart from the support to the efforts of the authorities to speed up growth to create jobs, reduce regional disparities and reinforce social protection, the European Union is also determined to accompany the implementation of democratic institutions and the rule of law.”

 “One of the priorities of the Union for the Mediterranean is to support SMEs as drivers of growth and job creation".

 "The EU and Morocco share similar opportunities and constraints when it comes to energy, which makes it important to support the progressive integration of our respective energy markets, as well as the joint development of renewable energy."

 "When I was in Tunis last July [2012] I outlined four concrete point of our assistance: Privileged Partnership and a New Action Plan, negotiations of trade agreements, a new agreement in the aviation area to boost tourism and proposing a mobility partnership. Today we are delivering on the first one. We are serious with our promises. [..] We are offering the prospect of a gradual integration of the Tunisian economy into our internal market. This will not only offer additional market access and stimulus for reforms but will also send a strong signal of openness and confidence to investors. [..] I am fully aware that there are high expectations regarding the issue of improving mobility of people. This is a legitimate concern. Quick progress on talks on the mobility partnership would give a first, concrete, and symbolic response to Tunisian expectations on mobility and labour exchanges." 

 “With today’s event [the inauguration of a Department for Children with Autism in Jerusalem] we want to make a statement: persons with disabilities should not be treated as (objects) of charity and prejudice but rather as people with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and have access to the same opportunities.”

"It is important to accept that nowadays, Civil Society has a much wider role to play than only in the area of human rights. Civil Society contributes also to areas such as consumer protection and the environment; in fact it is difficult to find areas where Civil Society does not offer an added value."

 “The MicroMED Tunisia programme is an excellent example of how partners can come together in support of a higher objective, which is the promotion of financial inclusion through our projects. In concert with the Government of Luxembourg and ADA [the NGO Appui au Développement Autonome], we can achieve a greater outcome by better assisting the development of the Tunisian microfinance sector. We hope that in the near future we can replicate this promising initiative to the other countries in the region.” 

 “It is significant that the PA will be one of our first partners in the region to conclude such a plan [a new European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan], which reflects the EU’s new response to changes in the region. The EU reiterates its commitment to the institution and state-building objectives of the Palestinian Authority and to further deepen bilateral relations with the future state of Palestine. This is an ambitious plan for the EU and the PA, which has demonstrated its ability to be a full partner for the EU within our Neighbourhood Policy and has made a strategic political choice to anchor its socio-economic development with the European Union. The ties between the Palestinians and the EU are deep and long standing. I am confident we can increasingly translate these ties into mutually beneficial outcomes.”

 “This is a key financing operation for Morocco [EIB’s contribution to the Green Morocco Plan]. It is designed to foster modern, sustainable and profitable farming that will drive growth and employment in the country. By promoting environmentally responsible irrigation of farmland, we are helping to give the younger generation a future.”