Brussels, 14/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton was in Tunis on Monday 14 February to discuss with the provisional government and civil society representatives ways that the EU is prepared to aid the democratic transition and social and economic development in the country. The high representative for foreign affairs also discussed with the Tunisian prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, the spectacular rise in illegal immigrants arriving from Tunisia on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a problem of huge concern to Rome (see separate article). Ashton's visit comes the day after the resignation of the Tunisian foreign minister, Ahmed Ounaies, under pressure from protests by managers and civil servants in the foreign ministry. The Tunisian capital is the first stage of a several day visit to the region, which will take Ashton to Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Jordan and possibly Egypt (see related article).
Package of aid measures. Following a visit of high-ranking European civil servants to Tunis last week, the EU diplomatic service (European External Action Service, EEAS) has prepared a range of aid measures that the EU can offer the Tunisian provisional government, if it desires. The measures were discussed on Monday by Catherine Ashton and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi. They include preparing for free, democratic elections in the next few months. Three EU experts arrived in Tunis last week to provide know-how to the Tunisian authorities in this domain and for reforming the election laws. The EU is also prepared to send election observers to Tunisia for several months to supervise the election campaign and voting, explain European diplomats; development of civil society (the EU has huge experience in this area); reform of the legal system in order to introduce reliable, independent justice, the cornerstone of any democracy (as an EU diplomatic put it); and social and economic development of the country, particularly the southern and central regions. The EU is prepared to provide know-how in regional and cohesion policy, and wants to look into the possibility of loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to develop infrastructure. The Commission is planning to organise an international investor conference to boost investors' trust in Tunisia, explain EU sources; and the EU is prepared to adjust and speed up the current round of talks on Tunisia being granted “advanced status” in its relations with the EU. Catherine Ashton is expected to give a press conference in Tunis later in the day, which EUROPE will report on tomorrow. (H.B./transl.fl)