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Tunisia: President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali Gives Exclusive Interview to 'Afrique Asie'
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Tunisia Online (Tunis)
28 April 2008
Posted to the web 28 April 2008
Tunis
In an exclusive interview in the May 2008 edition of the international monthly magazine "Afrique Asie", President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali evokes the excellent relations binding Tunisia and France , as well as Tunisia 's economic performances during the last two decades. He also discusses the Mediterranean Union project, and Tunisia 's Euro-Med relations.
"Relations between Tunisia and France are excellent and exemplary" said President Ben Ali adding that " France is a special partner of Tunisia ".
President Ben Ali also said that " Tunisia is ranked among emerging countries thanks to the annual growth averaging 5%". He also said that Tunisia 's economy is now integrated into the world economy and thanks to its competitiveness, it is ranked 1 st in Africa and 32 nd internationally out of 131 nations.
To a question related to the Mediterranean Union project initiated by President Sarkozy, President Ben Ali said that Tunisia had always favorably welcomed the Mediterranean Union initiative. "Our support for President Sarkozy's initiative proceeds from our conviction that the Mediterranean, the crossroads of cultures and civilizations, should take up again its role as an area of peace and shared prosperity for all its people", said the Tunisian President.
He also noted that Tunisia is the first country that first signed the association agreement with the EU in 1995, as well as the first country to enter the free trade zone with the EU.
The issue if immigration, he said "should be dealt with in a comprehensive way", adding that "the security dimension should not be the tree that hides the forest".
To the question "how do you respond to those who say that the advanced level of socio-economic development and the political evolution are out of phase? President Ben Ali said that "today, Tunisia has a multi-party system with nine political parties, six of which are represented in parliament". He noted that till 1987, the one- party system prevailed. Thanks to the reforms introduced opposition leaders can nowadays run for presidential elections, adding that "we have recently announced a revision of the electoral law guaranteeing for opposition parties a minimum of 25% of the seats in the Chamber of deputies and municipal councils."
Evoking the oncoming presidential campaign, President Ben Ali said that he will endeavor to "make sure all the conditions are provided for transparent and fair elections".
The Human rights situation in Tunisia was also evoked during the interview providing the Head of State with the opportunity of highlighting the country's numerous reforms to the penal code, as well as Tunisia 's adherence to international Human Rights conventions. "A Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms has been established, and its prerogatives have been regularly consolidated", said President Ben Ali, adding that the great progress achieved by Tunisia in terms of Human Rights had been highlighted both during the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on April 8, as well as during the debates of the United Nations Human Rights Commission in New York.
President Ben Ali said that Tunisia will take full advantage of the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council in order to further promote those rights.
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To a question as to whether Tunisia's achievements despite its limited resources, were the result of a particular mode of governance, the Head of State said that he always preferred to listen to others first, opting for dialogue and consultation, he also added that he always drew his actions from Tunisia 's reformist legacy. "I prefer concrete action which improves the living conditions of citizens, to speeches and media show offs" said President Ben Ali.
In response to the question of fundamental terrorism in Tunisia , President Ben Ali said that Tunisian society resisted this scourge thanks to its "culture of tolerance, openness and solidarity". Committed to these values, "we have undertaken an economic, social and cultural policy aimed at eradicating poverty, exclusion and inequality" said Tunisia 's President, adding that "We are confident while remaining vigilant".
On the issue of the situation in the Middle East, The Head of State said that " Tunisia which has actively contributed to the different stages of the peace process, sustains all the efforts deployed in this respect." It would be regrettable said President Ben Ali "if this new opportunity for peace offered to all the peoples of the region is missed."
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