25 August 2007
Tunis — In a recent interview to the Lebanese Arabic language magazine "El Hawadeth", President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali highlighted Tunisia's achievements since the November 7, 1987 Change, as well as the country's future social, political and economic orientations.
He also answered questions relating to Tunisia 's strategic partnership agreements, as well as other questions on regional and international issues.
Evoking the many achievements brought about by the Change, the Tunisian President said that "The progress and development achieved in Tunisia during the past twenty years, the prosperity and well- being enjoyed by our people, and the climate of security and stability reigning in our country, all sum up the main results of the process of the Change we have undertaken, and reflect our success in achieving the objectives we have set for Tunisia".
President Ben Ali stressed the major reforms undertaken to strengthen the rule of law as well as pluralism and democracy, expressing his commitment "to move ahead in anchoring democracy and promoting political life".
"We will move ahead in further consolidating the foundations of a pluralist society and political parties are called upon to promote their capacities within a context of freedom and national responsibility" he said, adding that "the continuous promotion of our political life ranks first on my personal agenda".
President Ben Ali expressed his pride "to have succeeded in reducing the poverty rate in Tunisia from 7,7 % in 1986 to 3,8% in 2007" stressing the fact that "achieving well being for all Tunisians and improving their living conditions are the goal of the development effort and the reforms we make at the economic and social levels".
In response to a question related to Tunisia's approach in combating terrorism, he reiterated his call for the holding of "an international conference under the aegis of the UN in order to set up an anti-terrorism code of ethics to which all countries shall be committed", however he also cautioned against solely focusing on the security dimension of the problem , stressing the importance of eradicating poverty in the world, as well as working to disseminate the values of tolerance and dialogue.
President Ben Ali also expressed his confidence that the "Tunisian people is indeed capable of winning the stakes of the future and promote the status of Tunisia from an emerging country to developed nation".
The interview will also be published by several leading Lebanese magazines such as "La Revue du Liban" and "Monday Morning", as well the newspaper "Al Bairak".
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