EU-Tunisia Deep and Complete Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA): Analysing Standards Harmonisation Challenges, and Opportunities

The European Union is engaged in negotiating Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) with several countries in the Mediterranean region with the aim to promote harmonisation of standards and laws, as well as liberalise different sectors such as agriculture and services. This paper analyses the experience of Tunisia in these talks, focusing on the standards harmonisation. It aims to draw useful lessons which could benefit other developing countries that may engage in similar talks in the future.