Brussels, 02/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Tuesday 2 October, Tunisia's Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy took stock of the political, security, economic and social situation in Tunisia. Van Rompuy said Jebali had briefed him on progress made in the national political process and especially on the breakthroughs made by the new constitution and legislative reforms, as well as on the preparation of future elections to follow endorsement of the constitutional text. He reiterated the EU's support for all those who are working for democracy and the anchoring of essential values in Tunisia, whether they be political decision-makers, businessmen, trade unionists, or other members of the country's rich civil society.
Jebali wished to reassure his European discussion partners - Van Rompuy, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle - of the privileged nature of EU-Tunisian relations. He underlined that, despite the difficulties experienced in any political transition, everything must be done to ensure that the achievements made during 20 months of democratic transition become irreversible. He assured that Tunisia is committed to continuing to uphold the spirit of democracy and its achievements.
The Tunisian democratic opposition, however, fears that such achievements in the fields of the press, law, women's rights and the safety of citizens and foreign missions may be threatened by non-confessed intentions. In Brussels, Jebali did not give details regarding the main political deadlines ahead, namely the adoption of a constitution initially promised for end October, and the organisation of new elections. On Tuesday, demonstrations had been organised in Tunis to protest against a significant case of breach of fundamental rights. Protest movements against failure to give press freedom are also organised in the media.
Welcoming Jebali, Barroso and Van Rompuy were fairly positive about the assurances given on the democratic processes by the Tunisian authorities. Barroso nonetheless firmly underlined the need to take forward the setting in place of rule of law and respect for democratic principles. On the financial aspects, he said, the EU has kept its commitments by doubling its financial support. Two new financing agreements have, moreover, been signed, one for aid of €12 million for a social programme to reduce inequalities and the other for aid of €25 million for a programme on reform of the judicial system. Barroso said, moreover, that a European delegation would be in Tunis in November to initiate a police training programme. Expert meetings are constantly being held to continue talks in the areas of agriculture, services and economic transition (macroeconomic aid). The Tunisian prime minister announced that his country accepted the “Open Sky” agreement in the aviation sector as proposed by Brussels. (FB/transl.jl)