Beji Caid Essebsi visits Brussels seeking support to country’s fragile economy

Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi has come to Brussels to meet EU officials, as he seeks to boost security and shore up the country’s fragile economy, six years after the Arab Spring uprising.

He called, Thursday, from the rostrum of the European Parliament in Brussels, for the need to build a strong and prosperous relation between Tunisia and Europe.

“The democratic experience which has made important steps is still vulnerable…The Tunisian exception needs more than ever a strong support from European partners since the success of the Tunisian democracy is not only in Tunisia’s interest but also in Europe’s.” A strong and prosperous democratic Tunisia will contribute to stabilise the southern neighbourhood of the EU, he said.

The Head of State commended the success of the Tunisia 2020 Conference whas repositioned Tunisia on the international investment map.

He hailed the European partners who contributed to the success of this major economic event. “The agreements signed and the commitments made on this occasion, testifies to the renewed confidence in Tunisia and its economic potential,” he added.

In another connection, President Beji Caid Essebsi voiced satisfaction at the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme announced for the benefit of Tunisian youths worth EUR400 million (about 980 million Tunisian dinars).

At the end of his meeting Thursday in Brussels with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Caid Essebsi described this action as “a major programme” for the Tunisian youth.

“1,500 youths benefit each year of the Erasmus+ programme and will have the occasion to visit Europe,” said Mogherini, who called “to invest in the Tunisian youth.”

We will work together on a Tunisia-EU special project for youth, the Erasmus programme that also regards employment, education and mobility, she specified.

Tunisia asserts itself today as a model of pluralism and tolerance where the rule of law, individual freedoms and equality among all are guaranteed in the Constitution,

In turn, President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz said Tunisia’s course since 2011 remains exceptional, adding that he remains firmly convinced that despite many economic, social and security challenges, the Tunisian, young and creative forces are ready to work for prosperous future of Tunisia.

Martin Schulz reaffirmed the EU’s determination to build a privileged partnership with Tunisia because we believe it is time to translate in a sustainable, tangible and diversified way the strategic and irreversible character of our relations.

MNHN

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