The situation in Tunisia was on the agenda of the European Parliament’s plenary sitting in Strasbourg on Tuesday 13 September. A resolution tabled for debate was adopted on Thursday 14 September by 596 votes to 59 with 49 abstentions. Unveiling his report in the presence of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Italian MEP Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) painted a worrying picture of the situation (terrorism, instability, collapsing economy, debt burden), saying that without social inclusion, the Tunisian revolution was going to be lost.
Following on from Castaldo at the start of the debate, Federica Mogherini again stressed that the revolution was a symbol of democracy for the region as Tunisians had chosen negotiation over clashes. The approach to Tunisia should be seen in a coherent and joined-up manner, covering social affairs, trade, the climate challenge, the question of migrants and security, said the high representative, observing that no government alone has the tools for such an ambitious plan. Mogherini said that the European Commission and the European External Action Service were making preparations for a "communication" on this subject in the next few weeks.
Hahn closed the debate, announcing a resumption of talks with the Tunisians. A European Parliament mission will be in Tunis next week and Hahn urged MEPs to tell the Tunisians that reforms need to take place, thus confirming EU reticence about slow progress due to internal quarrels in Tunisia and the unstable security situation. The commissioner announced that the Tunisian head of state would be in Brussels at the end of November or early December and would also be addressing the European Parliament.
Virtually all MEPs speaking at the debate listed the hopes that had been born in Tunisia, the constant dangers and the duty for the EU to become further involved in a more tangible and determined manner by taking action on the country’s growing debt burden. They expressed concern, however, about the risks to fundametal rights inherent in the recently adopted anti-terror legislation in Tunisia, pointing out that while Tunisia is one of the countries most exposed to terrorism, the authorities have to fully respect human rights. MEPs said the current situation in Tunisia justifies the introduction of a genuine ‘Marshall Plan’ to back democratic consolidation and encourage economic development.
It is not enough to encourage, the time has come to take concrete measures, said the rapporteur, pointing out that "Tunisia’s stability is our stability, and its prosperity is our prosperity. Tunisian civil society won the Nobel Peace Prize and the European Union now has to demonstrate this solidarity and foresight". (Original version in French by Fathi B’Chir)