OREANDA-NEWS. December 23, 2015. The EU has adopted a €112 million package to support socio-economic reforms and protection of vulnerable groups in Tunisia, Syria, and Israel. The package, funded under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), brings the total EU support to its southern neighbourhood this year up to €1.6 billion.

“Stabilising our neighbourhood is a top priority for the EU. This new funding will support key reforms and help improve the livelihoods and resilience of local populations, bringing more stability to this volatile region", said Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.

In the package, €72 million will enhance cooperation with Tunisia and Israel, focusing on socioeconomic reforms in Tunisia, and on twinning projects in Israel.

The remaining €40 million will support vulnerable groups as well as resilience and livelihoods of populations in Syria.

Background:

Tunisia: After making substantial progress in its democratisation efforts, Tunisia will receive additional €70 million to support socio-economic reforms and the tourism sector. This follows a first assistance package, adopted in July 2015, making the EU's total 2015 contribution to Tunisia €186.8 million.

Syria crisis: €40 million will go towards assisting the Syrian population within the country, including Palestine refugees. This support will be implemented through International NGOs, EU Member States agencies and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Israel: €2 million will continue to support institutional twinning projects, which aim to foster cooperation between EU and Israeli peer institutions.