Brussels, 07/02/2014 (Agence Europe) -President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy was in Tunis on Friday 7 February, where he took part in the formal adoption ceremony of the Tunisian Constitution. In a speech before the parliament, he expressed his “emotion, on behalf of the European Union” (our translation throughout). Europe, he said, is “this neighbouring continent which has experienced all the tragedies, which in its history has seen the slow emergence of democracy”, and which is “fully aware of and values like no other the genuinely historic step we are celebrating here today”. “The men and women of Europe salute you wholeheartedly, and salute the inclusive dialogue which has allowed Tunisia to achieve this result”, he added.
Addressing the people of Tunisia, he congratulated them on having “adopted a resolutely modern constitution, with essential and universal values, such as human rights and fundamental freedoms, but also new rights such as safeguarding the environment. The constitution guarantees all citizens equality in rights and in obligations”. “I urge you to persevere on the path you have chosen, a path which will inspire democratic transformation throughout the region and beyond it. Indeed, this procedure requires constant vigilance. The state cannot be its only guarantor. Democracy is the daily task of all citizens, across all generations”, he concluded. (FB/transl.fl)