First Independent Mena Newspaper
In February 2012, the European Parliament approved proposals to reduce restrictions on agricultural and fisheries exports from Morocco into the EU, and to allow Morocco to participate in EU single market programs (on competitiveness and innovation, customs, transport). A few days later, on 1 March 2012, a free trade area (FTA) in industrial goods was […]
Tunisia’s government has blocked the launch of a new airline company dubbed “Jasmin Airways” which was initially set to operate early 2013. The Tunisian ministry of transport did not grant the new airline operating rights, apparently fearing tough competition and seeking to protect flag carrier Tunisair (TU) suffering deep losses. “The creation of Jasmin Airways […]
Tunisia has approved the renewal for an additional three year period of the Sfax offshore exploration permit awarded to Eurogas International Inc. and its joint venture partner, Atlas Worldwide Exploration Ltd (“APEX”). Under this first renewal period that will extend from December 9, 2012 to December 8, 2015, the exploration corporation will have to drill […]
The EU has issued lately its revised import preference scheme – known as the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) – for developing countries most in need which will take effect from 1 January 2014. The new list of beneficiaries from GSP does not include North African countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco & Tunisia. With […]
Interview with Sadi Shanaah, an influential Czech-Palestinian political analyst and director of INSAAN – ‘Czech-Arab Centre for Cultural Dialogue’, about the roots of the Egyptian revolution, potential failure of Western media and U.S. support to the region. Mr. Shanaah, a special advisor for the Middle East to Mitt Romney‘s presidential campaign, Walid Pharees, says that […]
In May 2012, leaders of the G8 countries met in France in order to discuss an eventual support of the ongoing revolutionary processes of the Arab Spring. Although a number of countries have already helped financially or otherwise, the current amounts of aid implicitly suggest that another Marshall Plan in not going to take place. […]
The tourism sector in Tunisia which was unstable since the Yasmine revolution has recorded a good performance during the first nine months of 2012 and according to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Tourism, some 4.4 million tourists visited the country from January 1 to September 20, posting a 32 percent increase compared […]
Tunisia has denied the news reported by French magazine “Marianne” alleging the existence of jihadist training camps on its soil. The Tunisian interior Ministry on Tuesday denied the news that was reproduced by some Tunisian media. “The internal security forces, in collaboration with the national army, closely monitor the border regions and are vigilant in […]
Vienna plays host November 6 through 8 to the seventh annual North Africa oil and gas summit that will provide attendees with the opportunity to share insights on the region’s recent development prospects and a concrete understanding of the available blocks, evolving fiscal and legal frameworks and contractual terms from strategy leaders in the region. […]
Human Rights Watch has decried the mass dismissal last May of 75 judges by the Tunisian Justice Minister, Noureddine Bhiri, as an “unfair” and “arbitrary” procedure that sets a disturbing precedent and deals a blow to judicial independence. “The dismissal of 75 judges by Tunisia’s justice minister was unfair and arbitrary. The firings set a […]