Brussels, 09/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The president of Tunisia, who announced in an interview published on 8 February that he would soon be visiting Brussels and Strasbourg (although he gave no date), welcomed the determination shown by countries on the other side of the Mediterranean to help Tunisia, given the significance of the Tunisian uprising. President Moncef Marzouki said his country's relations with the EU are already sound but that they are seeking to make them still stronger in the interests of Tunisia.
The EU said during a meeting in Brussels on 2 February with members of the Tunisian government that it wished to do everything possible to stabilise the security situation. Marzouki acknowledged that there are sometimes security problems that arise from demonstrations and protests, most of which are legitimate given the suffering endured by people who are at the end of their tether due to their very disadvantaged social situation. He said that this is very understandable but that one should not forget that some elements are seeking to cause trouble.
Marzouki dismissed the warnings made by international partners, especially the IMF, about the need to rapidly improve the investment climate. He added: “There are, of course, financial matters at stake but we are in a country in revolution. The economy must only serve the people. We refuse to allow others to dictate to us what we should do. We take our decisions in complete sovereignty to serve the interests of the Tunisian people”. (FB/transl.jl)