Brussels, 11/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 11 January, the European parliamentary delegation for relations with Maghreb organised a special meeting in Brussels to ensure a rapid reaction to the events in Tunisia and Algeria. Debates introduced by the head of the delegation, Pier Antonio Panzeri (Partito Democratico), in the presence of Hugues Mingarelli, Deputy Director General at the European Commission DG External Relations (responsible for the Middle East and the Mediterranean), were concluded, despite the small numbers present, with a joint declaration calling for strict conditionality to be established between continued talks on “advanced status” - in the case of Tunisia - and a return to normality and behaviour that would be democratically acceptable for MEPs. Another person invited to the platform was Mathieu Routier, who represents the Euro-Mediterranean human rights network. He drew an alarming picture of the situation in Tunisia and spoke of the concern caused by the situation in Algeria.
Pier Antonio Panzeri underlined that demands being made (in Tunisia) are of a social origin but have become transformed into a political demand for democratisation of political and social life. He highlighted the “needs of the Maghreb” and called on the EU to act along these lines. He announced that an information mission would be despatched in several weeks to both Tunisia and Algeria.
Mingarelli recalled to mind the joint text by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for foreign affairs, and Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle, published on Monday 10 January, whereby they deplore the use of violence and, at the same time, urge for dialogue and underline the need to take into account the social concerns expressed by demonstrators. “We are ready to double our efforts to help Tunisia achieve its reforms” and to combat “the malaise felt by the young”, he said, adding, however, that, “if repression reaches a certain point, it will be difficult” to help the Tunisian government as “there are developments that are not acceptable”.
“The Commission is living on another planet”, said Hélène Flautre (Greens/EFA, France), who criticised not only what she feels is excessive caution on the part of the EU towards Tunisia, but also the policy carried out by President Ben Ali. “Frankly, what you have to say is not credible and serves no purpose”, she told the Commission. Marie-Christine Vergiat (GUE/NGL, France) confessed that the Commission declaration has “remained stuck in her throat”. Carmen Romero Lopez (S&D, Spain), Robert Rochefort (ALDE, France), Malika Benarab-Attou (Greens/EFA, France) called for extra severity. Mingarelli confirmed that the Commission is reflecting on the approach to be adopted: - continue talks with Tunisia and encourage greater openness, or suspend these talks. MEPs call for an “association Council to be convened as a matter of urgency” and for the pursuit of talks to be made subject to political conditions. A draft resolution will be presented and voted next week during plenary in Strasbourg. (F.B./transl.jl)