Tunisia was the first Mediterranean country to sign an AA with the EU, which it did on 17 July 1995. This agreement has governed bilateral relations between the EU and Tunisia and forms part of the Barcelona Process. Under the terms of the agreement, the EU and Tunisia commit themselves to cooperating in a wide range of areas, including on trade, economic, social and cultural issues, and to striving for an overall strengthened political dialogue. The AA also addresses financial cooperation to accompany reform measures in Tunisia. The existing cooperation framework was extended and consolidated by the launch of the ENP in 2004. An ENP Action Plan, which includes mutually agreed on priorities and objectives in the areas of politics, the economy, justice, security and culture has been in force since 4 July 4 2005.

Tunisia has not requested assistance for implementing UNSCR 1540. However, it does state that it was among the first to realise the dangers of terrorism and since the early 1990s has highlighted the need to combat it in an effective manner. As such, it is intent on taking the necessary steps to protect the state security from terrorist use of WMD. Furthermore, as already mentioned, Tunisia was the first Mediterranean country to sign an AA with the EU and later joined the ENP. The main elements of a standard WDM clause have also been included in the NAP, demonstrating the country’s willingness to work cooperatively with other nations and organisations.