Brussels, 17/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU called on Monday 17 January for a government of national unity to be formed in Tunisia to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy with free elections being held in the near future. Three days after the fall of the regime and the flight of President Ben Ali, the EU has reaffirmed its solidarity with the Tunisian people and offered the transitional authorities led by Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi “immediate assistance” in preparing and organising the electoral process. EU member states are also discussing a “package” of economic and political measures to help the country in the long term and have not ruled out the possibility of sanctions against the ousted president and his entourage.
Point of no return. “In this critical moment, we reaffirmed its [the European Union's] solidarity with the Tunisian people … and pay tribute to the courage of the Tunisian people and their peaceful struggle for their rights and democratic aspirations,” say Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Füle. They urge the Tunisian authorities to “act responsibly, preserve peace, show restraint and avoid further violence and casualties” and condemn any actions which could further destabilise the security situation. “The message from the Tunisian people is loud and clear: Tunisia has reached a point of no-return,” Ashton and Füle say on behalf of the EU. “The EU will stand side by side with Tunisians as they pursue their peaceful and democratic aspirations,” they state. Tunisia wants “free and fair, inclusive elections” and the EU “will support Tunisia in their endeavours to achieve this”. “The EU stands ready to provide immediate assistance to prepare and organise the electoral process,” the two say. The EU calls for “the formation of a new unity government that ensures a peaceful democratic transition” (Ed: Prime Minister Ghannouchi was due to announce the members of his unity government at the end of the day).
“Enhanced status”, sanctions against Ben Ali. The EU is ready to provide additional emergency aid to the Tunisian authorities, if they ask it, say Ashton and Füle. The EU is already working on a “broader package” to assist with democratic reforms and economic development “as soon as the political situation stabilises”. Tunisia, which has had an association agreement with the EU since 1995, has been in negotiations on an “enhanced status” since 2010. This option is “definitely on the table,” said Ashton's spokeswoman. Member states might also decide to impose sanctions against the overthrown president and his associates. “This is an option that will have to be discussed. It is somewhat premature, to say the least, but it remains a distinct possibility” that the EU might consider such an eventuality, she said. (H.B./transl.rt)