Brussels, 21/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - After Morocco, European Commissioner Chris Patten was in Tunisia on Tuesday where he had a brief working visit marked by a meeting with President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and where he placed emphasis on the "leading role" this country played in relations between the Union and the Southern side of the Mediterranean, as well as within the region.
The four-part talks, that Mr. Patten extended "longer than expected", with Prime Minister Hamed Karoui, Foreign Minister Ben Yahia and the Minister for Development and Investments, Fathi Merdassi, as well as for trade, Tahar Sioud, were dominated by a rather consensual exchange of views on developments in bilateral relations. Mr. Patten welcomed the suggestions of the Tunisian Government for strengthening these relations, notably confirming the consequential level of Union support for the liberalization of the services sector in Tunisia and authorizing the accumulation of origin with neighbouring countries (once the 8 different types of rules of origin provided by the Association Agreements have been harmonized). Tunisia, which is the first country to have signed an association agreement - which it rapidly implemented, beginning with the envelope provided for MEDA I - fears a downward review of Community assistance, whereas this instrument is soon to enter its second phase, so-called MEDA II. The Union will continue to support efforts at modernizing the Tunisian economy, Patten assured them, announcing the forthcoming release of 40 million euro devoted to the liberalization of the financial services, an envelope that comes on top of the 40 million already paid out last year as Community contribution to structural adjustment and, more specifically, the upgrading of companies and training. Mr. Patten also placed emphasis on Tunisia's leading role in the regional partnership and, as he did the day before in Morocco, welcomed the Agadir Agreement, renewing his promise of Union technical support to implementing this sub-regional integration project (see EUROPE of 19 June, p.13).
Regarding politics, the Commissioner "clearly" told his interlocutors that much remained to be done (situation of human rights NGOs, freedom of the press, treatment of political prisoners), repeating his "credo" by which countries that treated their citizens well, that enjoyed social and political peace, were considered as favoured outlets by foreign investors. More courage is needed in embarking on these reforms, Patten insisted when speaking to President Ben Ali and the Tunisian Government - whose recent statements of intent in favour of the liberalization of political movements, associations and the press have run into the resistance of conservative forces which have so far dominated the country's political landscape. Mr. Patten had "the impression of being listened to attentively", said his spokesperson. Nevertheless, shortly after his departure, the local press referred to administrative and legal harassment against Tunisia's main opposition leader Dr. Monsef Marzouki and the arrest of another opponent for having concluded an alliance with a fundamentalist movement active in exile