Tunisia
(asked on 9th February 2015) - View Source
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what share of Arab Partnership Funds will be devoted to Tunisia in 2015/16 and subsequent years; and whether they have any plans to increase those funds.
This question was answered on 23rd February 2015
The British Government’s Arab Partnership initiative was set up in 2010 to support lasting political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa through the building of inclusive institutions, political pluralism, free media and structural economic reform. In the Financial Year 2014/2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) managed Arab Partnership Participation Fund (APPF) has funded project work to a value of over £10 million supporting political pluralism, free media and good governance across the region. This included over £1.5 million of projects in Tunisia. Amongst other successes, our support has helped Tunisians deliver balanced and accurate reporting of the recent elections; enabled civil society to contribute to the discussions over the new constitution; and helped develop an anti-corruption Code of Conduct for Civil Servants, strengthening government institutions. £40 million was also provided through the Department for International Development-run Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF) to support economic reform. APEF regional projects will continue to operate in 2015/16, including in Tunisia, but there are currently no plans for additional funding. The FCO’s overall Strategic Programme Fund budgets for future Financial Years are yet to be confirmed, and we are therefore unable to give indications of individual allocations at this stage. We remain committed to supporting lasting reform and building legitimate and inclusive institutions in Tunisia.
The British Government’s Arab Partnership initiative was set up in 2010 to support lasting political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa through the building of inclusive institutions, political pluralism, free media and structural economic reform. In the Financial Year 2014/2015, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) managed Arab Partnership Participation Fund (APPF) has funded project work to a value of over £10 million supporting political pluralism, free media and good governance across the region. This included over £1.5 million of projects in Tunisia. Amongst other successes, our support has helped Tunisians deliver balanced and accurate reporting of the recent elections; enabled civil society to contribute to the discussions over the new constitution; and helped develop an anti-corruption Code of Conduct for Civil Servants, strengthening government institutions. £40 million was also provided through the Department for International Development-run Arab Partnership Economic Facility (APEF) to support economic reform. APEF regional projects will continue to operate in 2015/16, including in Tunisia, but there are currently no plans for additional funding. The FCO’s overall Strategic Programme Fund budgets for future Financial Years are yet to be confirmed, and we are therefore unable to give indications of individual allocations at this stage. We remain committed to supporting lasting reform and building legitimate and inclusive institutions in Tunisia.