31 December 2008
Tunis — In a New Year address to the Tunisian people on Wednesday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali said that Tunisia "welcomes the New Year 2009 with confidence and optimism, despite the current global economic crisis and its potential effects."
He also expressed his commitment to expand the scope of public freedoms and the areas of political participation "in the respect of "Tunisian references and the rule of law". He added that he will make sure that "the forthcoming presidential and legislative elections are held in the best of conditions, and within a context of transparency and respect for the law".
President Ben Ali noted that Tunisia was the only country in the world to approve a pay increase for the coming three years, as a result of its continuation of social negotiations between the country's social and economic partners.
He added that the current economic crisis whose effects are starting to influence the world economy, "will not prevent the country from building the highway network", he announced in his address marking the 21 st anniversary of the November 7, 1987 Change.
The New Year he said, will witness major cultural events such as the celebration of Kairouan as Capital of Islamic culture, as well as "the commemoration of the centennial of Tunisia's immortal poet, Aboul Kacem Chebbi".
Evoking the national Dialogue with youth, which culminated in the signing of the Youth Pact, the Tunisian President said that the New Year will also witness the elaboration "of an integrated youth strategy for the period 2009-2014".
In reference to the "fierce and savage aggression taking place against Gaza", President Ben Ali said that the human conscience is called upon "to act decisively to put an end to the aggression" and protect the Palestinian people.
"Tunisia which is committed to joint Arab action considers that an Extraordinary Arab summit should go beyond mere decisions of condemnation and denunciation , and take a firm position that can effectively help put an end to the Palestinian bloodshed and open the way for the hoped for peace solution", he said.
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