(Ecofin Agency) - The European Union (EU) has just exempted from customs clearance duty an annual quota of 35,000 tons of olive oil from Tunisia. The measure which will be effective until 2017 was presented by Brussels as “a strong signal of the solidarity of the EU with Tunisia” following the recent attacks which greatly affected the Tunisian economy.

“This initiative is the result of the commitment of the EU to help the Tunisian economy following the terrible events which recently occurred. It is a concrete effort aimed at one the most important economic sectors of the country. The objective is to create more employment for the benefit of the Tunisian people”, said Cecilia Malmström and Phil Hogan, respectively EU Commissioner for Trade and Agriculture.

A support, which is worth noting, also allows Europe to get out of a tight spot. Indeed, the 2 main producers of olive oil on the old continent, being Spain and Italy are currently respectively fighting against drought and Xyllla Fastidiosa, a bacteria which devastated the Italian farms. Tunisia is the 3^rd world producer of olive oil behind Spain and Italy.