Brussels, 17/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the ALDE Group in the European Parliament (EP) wants the EU to offer Tunisia much more than a privileged partnership. “We should explore the possibilities of offering Tunisia more than a privileged partnership and possibly even investigate future membership of the EEA with rights similar to Norway and Iceland”, he said at a press conference in Tunis.
“Europe was late in recognising that the Tunisian uprising was in the name of freedom, justice and democracy - all core values of the EU. It soon became clear that Tunisia was the model for the Arab Spring - a non-violent outpouring of popular will for an end to the 'ancien regime' and an embrace of the freedom and opportunities offered by an open and democratic future”, he stated. Tunisia is the most highly educated and open of North African countries where women's rights are well founded and citizenship is highly valued. (CG/transl.rt)