Brussels, 03/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - On a working visit to Brussels on Tuesday 2 October (EUROPE 10701), the Tunisian prime minister, Hamadi Jebali, was received at a hearing by the committee on foreign affairs at the European Parliament. There, he took pains to reassure the MEPs both of various internal Tunisian aspects and on the security of diplomatic missions in Tunis.
Mention was made by José Ignacio Salafranca (EPP, Spain) of the recent attack on the American Embassy, during which the shortcomings of the security forces were stressed by several diplomats posted to the country. “Lessons have been learned”, Jebali replied, stressing that “the Tunisians are united in rejecting this behaviour”. He regretted the fact that the attacks had overshadowed efforts to create “an open and modern society which believes in dialogue rather than violent oppression”.
He also said that his government was acting to maintain Tunisia's open nature, asserting: “We do not want a theocratic State, but a democratic regime at the service of the citizens and ensuring equality for all, irrespective of origin or religion, including gender equality” and he does not believe that any political force, even an extremist one, would be able to call into question the specific status for women on which Tunisia prides itself. Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck (ADLE, Belgium) asked him to do more to encourage the other countries of the region to protect women's rights. “The Arab Spring must not become an Arab winter”, warned Charles Tannock (ECR, UK).
The prime minister called for the support of the European Parliament in recovering assets embezzled by former leaders. Ana Gomes (S&D, Portugal) replied: “We are bringing pressure to bear on our governments to ensure that these assets will be returned to you. But in order to do this, we need more cooperation and transparency from you”. After presenting his government's timetable on the reform of the Constitution and the next elections, Jebali urged the European Parliament to start work on putting together its delegation for elections he believes will take place in May and June of next year, but without any certainty. “It all depends on when the drafting process for the text of the Constitution finishes”, he said. (FB/transl.fl)