Exclusive interview given by H.E. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, President of the Republic of Tunisia , to “Afrique Asie”
(May 2008)
1 - On the eve of President Nicolas Sarkozy's state visit to Tunisia , how do you see the relations between Tunisia and France ?
Relations between Tunisia and France are excellent and exemplary, and are based on a close friendship that is today sustained and consolidated by a fruitful cooperation in the economic, social, political and cultural fields. France is a special partner of Tunisia . These relations will be further developed, given the political will driving both countries to move ahead in consolidating gains and enlarging the prospects of this partnership, in order to best serve the mutual interests of our two peoples.
The Tunisian community in France counts today more than half-a-million persons. This reflects the deep-rooted relations marking the history of the Tunisian and French societies. There is indeed a civilizational tie uniting our two sisterly countries, and we are called on to further consolidate this mutually-enriching bond. The fact that Tunisian businessmen, academics, artists, researchers, electees, and others are today distinguishing themselves in France bears eloquent testimony to this solid tie uniting the two countries, which should be preserved and consolidated in order to serve the interests of both countries and all countries belonging to the Mediterranean space.
2 - How do you assess the performance of the Tunisian economy, particularly in the current international context ?
If Tunisia is today ranked among emerging countries, it is thanks to the sustained growth achieved over a couple of decades, with an annual growth rate averaging at 5%. The reforms we have undertaken have made it possible to increase six-fold the GDP during the 1986-2007 period. The average per capita income has increased more than four-fold during the same period. The economic macro-balances have been preserved, and the current deficit and foreign debt have been brought down to reasonable rates.
Our economy is now integrated into the world economy. Thanks to its growing competitiveness, it is ranked 1 st in Africa and 32 nd internationally out of 131 countries, by the Davos World Economic Forum. The share of our exports in the national product increased from 34.7% in 1987 to 54.1% in 2007.
These results have been achieved despite an instable regional and international context which has not always been favorable during the past two decades.
The modernization of Tunisian businesses and infrastructures, and the dynamism of the Tunisian entrepreneurship, are among the factors that have helped us achieve these results. Moreover, Tunisia's economic success is attributable to the high competence and qualifications of our cadres and workforce, the fruits of a continuously promoted educational system, as well as to political stability, and to the good governance recognized for Tunisia by the competent international institutions.
This is what actually attracts foreign direct investments.
The encouraging results we have achieved can only strengthen our determination to step up efforts in order to meet a number of challenges confronting us today, particularly the world financial and economic crisis, and the excessive rise of the prices of oil, cereals and other basic products. Our open economy is not away from the consequences of this international situation.
Our objective is to maintain a high rate of growth that offers more job opportunities to young graduates who each year join the job market, and to make new strides in the process of development in order to catch up with developed nations.
3 - What about the Tunisian tourism industry today?
This is an economic sector that is of crucial importance for the country. It contributes by 6% of the GDP and up to 54% of the trade balance deficit cover. The tourism sector mobilizes over 5% of the total volume of investments, provides 340,000 direct and indirect jobs, and ensures an annual average ranging between 17% and 19% of hard currency incomings generated through the export of goods and services.
All along the past years, we have been keen on providing propitious conditions for a better growth of this sector, by modernizing the tourism environment, improving the promotion of products abroad, and providing propitious areas for the tourism activity. Investments have totally changed the country's tourist map. We are keen on giving a fresh impetus to this sector in the coming years, by enriching the tourism product, moving ahead in upgrading the hotel infrastructure, and opening up new promising segments. Tunisia's natural, cultural and social assets are there to sustain this effort.
4 - The “Union for the Mediterranean”, initiated by President Sarkozy, has provoked large debates in the North and in the South of the Mediterranean . What is your position vis-à-vis this initiative ?
From the start, Tunisia has favorably welcomed President Sarkozy's “Union for the Mediterranean ” initiative. The Euro-Mediterranean dimension is, in fact, one of the constant tenets of our country's orientations and foreign relations. It is indeed a civilizational and historical dimension that has been further strengthened since the signing, in 1995, of the Association Agreement between Tunisia and the European Union, and the integration of Tunisia in the process of building a Mediterranean space of cooperation and development.
Our support to 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 peoples. Tunisia, one of the founders of the Barcelona Process and the 5+5 Dialogue, has always advocated a deeper consultation among all partners, in order to define the objectives of this Union and the means to achieve them. We consider that this ambitious project will give a strong impetus to an effective Mediterranean cooperation and solidarity-based development.
We need to work together within a context of close consultation.
On its part, Tunisia is ready to contribute to the implementation of this common project. Our country is, in fact, keen on remaining at the heart of the relations between the two shores of the Mediterranean .
5 - You have established, with Europe, relations that have reached very advanced stages, illustrated, for instance, through Tunisia 's entry, as from January 2008, into the free-trade zone with the European Union, the first case for a country of the South Mediterranean . How can you explain this choice? Can we expect these special relations to contribute to a better management of the flows of immigrants, which constitute a recurrent issue in Euro-Mediterranean relations?
Cooperation between Tunisia and Europe constitutes for us a strategic choice. Partnership is comprehensive, rich and multisided, covering the political, economic, financial, social, cultural and human fields.
Tunisia, which signed the first Association Agreement with Europe in 1995, is also the first country of the South Mediterranean to enter, as from the beginning of 2008, into the free-trade zone with the European Union.
In our view, partnership with Europe is not only economic, but also involves a human dimension. Both dimensions are indissociable, and should be promoted according to a balanced and comprehensive approach.
The phenomenon of immigration should, in fact, be seen as a factor of economic development and a source of cultural enrichment.
Proceeding from this conviction, we launched, in the 1990s, a call for concluding a Euro-Maghreb Charter on Immigration, to take into consideration all the problems related to this issue. In the same context, Tunisia has actively participated in the Euro-African conferences of Rabat and Tripoli, in charge of elaborating a plan of action aimed at organizing legal immigration, fighting clandestine immigration, and promoting development.
We understand the security concerns preoccupying our European friends, and we are actively cooperating in this regard. This security dimension should not, however, be the tree that hides the forest. For Tunisia has always called for addressing the issue of immigration in a comprehensive way, taking into consideration its different components, particularly its socio-economic dimension.
Concerning clandestine immigration, our position is that this phenomenon can be fought only as part of an approach of solidarity-based co-development offering shared prosperity.
6 - How do you respond to those who say that the advanced level of socio-economic development and the process of political evolution in Tunisia are out of phase ?
This is rather an erroneous judgment of the political reality in Tunisia .
I will not review our country's economic achievements. I will just recall that we have always embraced a fundamental principle in our reforms, namely the interdependence between democracy and development. We have always been keen to make sure the promotion of democracy and of development goes hand in hand. Patent facts are there to testify to this.
Today, Tunisia has a multi-party system, with nine political parties, six of which are represented in Parliament. Till 1987, it was the one-party system which prevailed. Till 1994, no political party was represented in Parliament. Till 1999, no opposition leader could run for presidential elections. It was thanks to the reforms we have introduced that the situation has changed. Today, 20% of the members of the Chamber of Deputies and of municipal councils belong to opposition parties. To enlarge the scope of the opposition's participation in public life, 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 in municipal councils.
Today, all opposition parties participate in public debates, and freely publish their newspapers.
The democratic process is indeed an irreversible choice in Tunisia .
The next presidential and legislative elections will be held in one year and a half from now. The electoral campaign has not, therefore, been launched yet. We will endeavor to make sure all conditions are provided for transparent and fair elections.
7 - Can we say that the achievements made by Tunisia , despite its limited natural resources, are also the fruit of a particular mode of governance? What is your secret in this case ?
Before taking any decision, I always prefer to listen to others, opting for direct dialogue and large consultations with the various components of society. I am also open to the experiences of other countries.
In any action I undertake, I draw from my country's glorious history, from the works of its thinkers, and particularly from the Tunisian reformist legacy of the 19 th century and the National Movement. This has consolidated our choices and helped us take sound decisions which, as soon as they are taken, are continuously followed up.
I, in fact, prefer concrete action which improves the living conditions of citizens, to speeches and media showoffs.
8 - Tunisian women enjoy an avant-garde status in the Arab world. Their gains are numerous and well-known. Is the promotion of women's rights still among your concerns?
Yes indeed, even though the status of Tunisian women is exemplary and unique in our cultural environment. Women's rights are, in fact, at the heart of our societal project based on equality among all citizens.
The Code of Personal Status, promulgated in 1956 by President Habib Bourguiba, remains a unique legal framework in our region. Since 1987, we have undertaken to give a fresh impetus to this Code, in order to anchor the principles of equality and partnership between men and women in the family and in public life. We have also incorporated the principles of the Code of Personal Status into the Constitution.
Today, women constitute one-third of the Tunisian working population. For instance, they represent one-third of judges, one-third of lawyers, 72% of pharmacists, 42% of the medical professions, and 40% of university teachers. In political life, women's representation is constantly on the rise. The ratio of women in the Chamber of Deputies has increased from 7% in 1994 to over 22% currently. In municipal councils, they hold over 27% of the seats, against 16% in 1995. In our education institutions, girls outnumber boys. They represent 57% in secondary schools and 59% in higher education institutions.
9 - Some claim that Tunisia is rather lagging behind in terms of human rights ? What is your view vis-à-vis this issue ?
Those who make this contention know nothing about the Tunisian reality. However, if you are talking about criticisms, let me make it clear that we willingly accept criticism.
In this field, like in others, we are aware that much remains to be done. Still, achievements are already numerous and progress is tangible. Reforms introduced since 1987 have consolidated the rule of law. We have taken various measures to ensure the protection and respect of human rights in Tunisia . Mention can be made, in this regard, of Tunisia 's adherence to most international conventions related to human rights, and the incorporation of these legal instruments within our national legal system. This in addition to the various reforms introduced into the Penal Code to reinforce the rights of citizens, by rigorously regulating the exceptional procedures of custody and preventive detention, and guaranteeing the right to counsel and the right to appeal judgments. A Higher Committee for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms has been established, and its prerogatives have regularly been consolidated, so that it now can pay unexpected visits to penitentiary institutions, receive complaints from citizens, and conduct investigations concerning any violation of the rights of prisoners. We have conferred a humane dimension on the Tunisian penal system, by replacing freedom-depriving penalties by alternative penalties such as “community service”, and established the possibility to indemnify any citizen who has been sentenced but whose innocence has later been proved.
The great progress achieved by Tunisia has been commended by most countries of the world. This has been noticed, for instance, during the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, on April 8 in Geneva , or during the debates of the UN Human Rights Committee in New York last March. We will take full advantage of the recommendations made to us by the UN Human Rights Council in order to further promote human rights, while reinforcing cooperation with UN and regional organs which can themselves have a close view of the realities of our country, and thus avoid being misled by the judgments of certain parties which use the issue of human rights to serve other ends.
10 - North African countries are confronted with the challenge of fundamentalist terrorism. What is the situation of Tunisia in this regard ?
Tunisia knew the fundamentalist threat in the early 1980s and in the early 1990s. Tunisian society resisted in the face of this threat, thanks to its culture of tolerance, openness and solidarity. Women were in the forefront of the active forces which rejected the trend of fanaticism and obscurantism.
Committed to these values deeply anchored in our culture, we have undertaken an economic, social and cultural policy aimed at eradicating poverty, exclusion and inequality, all of which factors feeding extremism. The rule of law is the framework within which we have faced this threat. Today, Tunisia is pursuing its process of advancement, thanks to the respect of these principles and this policy. We are confident while remaining vigilant.
11 - On the international level, how do you assess the results achieved by the international community?
Fighting terrorism is a long-term action that requires a stronger determination and a better coordination among states, terrorism having become a transnational phenomenon from which no country is shielded. For us, it is important to tackle the roots of extremism and terrorism, through strong actions against marginalization and frustration, and while implementing a strategy of balanced and solidarity-based development that seeks to equitably promote all social categories and all regions. It is this coherent approach which has enabled us to safeguard our country against this scourge.
Fighting terrorism also requires promoting the values of tolerance, humanism and dialogue among cultures, in order to promote mutual understanding among peoples. This is one of the fundamental tenets of our foreign policy. This fight requires, in fact, a greater international mobilization to find just and equitable solutions to regional conflicts, particularly the conflict in the Middle-East, which carry a lot of humiliation and sufferance that feed hatred and extremism. In this regard, we notice a growing awareness on the part of the international community as to the necessity to combat this scourge in a comprehensive and concerted way.
Tunisia, which since the 1990s has called for the adoption of a code of ethics to combat terrorism, remains committed, jointly with all members of the international community and while respecting human rights, to the eradication of this serious scourge which threatens world peace and security.
12 - The situation in Palestine remains extremely preoccupying, notwithstanding the peace efforts exerted in the region. How do you see the evolution of this problem?
We are convinced that world peace will remain precarious as long as the persistent conflicts have not been settled, particularly the conflict in the Middle East , the region where a fair, comprehensive and durable solution to the Palestinian problem is urgent and imperative.
The Annapolis Conference has created much hope after a long period of deadlock. However, subsequent developments on the ground are far from promoting the peace process. Tunisia , which has actively contributed to the different stages of the peace process in the Middle East since it was launched, sustains all efforts deployed in this regard. We call on all the influential parties, particularly the Quartet, to intensify efforts in order to firmly engage the conflicting parties on the path of peace. It is, in fact, high time for the Palestinian people, which has long been suffering, to recover its inalienable rights to self-determination and the establishment of its independent state, in accordance with the Roadmap and the Arab Peace Initiative.
It would be regrettable that this new opportunity for peace offered to all the peoples of the region be missed.
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