Tunis — Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said that Tunisia, which has always been a privileged partner of the European Union (EU) and hasconstantly endeavoured to integrate the European market, "wishes to hold a distinguished position in the European new industrialisation strategy."

Taking the floor at Tunisia-EU Economic Consultative Council 1st Meeting, Tuesday in Tunis, he pointed out that "the Tunisian enterprise, notably the small- and medium-sized, needs fruitful partnerships with its European opposite numbers and to adhere to national and international professional networks."

Mr. Jebali voiced wish that the Council will become a link between Tunisian and European businessmen by establishing contacts between them, with the aim of creating joint projects favouring technological transfer.

The Prime Mminister said that "the privileged partnership" between Tunisia and EU testifies to the joint will to boost bilateral co-operation to meet the current needs and challenges.

He added that this partnership constitutes an important step into total economic integration aimed to set up a joint economic space and embrace a comprehensive co-operation dynamic, that will go beyond free trade to involve the persons' free movement and peoples' rapprochement.