While the association agreement between Tunisia and the European Union soon blows its 30 candles, Tunis calls for a lucid assessment and an ambitious refoundation of the partnership. Between cooperation, sovereignty and solidarity, the time is for the redefinition of priorities.
While Tunisia and the European Union are preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their association agreement signed in 1995, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, called on Friday to an in -depth rereading of this historic partnership, on the occasion of Europe.
Accompanied by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mondher Belaid, the head of Tunisian diplomacy recalled, in his speech, the very special importance that this celebration takes this year. “This is an opportunity to take stock of three decades of cooperation and to open up new perspectives meeting national priorities and the aspirations of the Tunisian people,” he said.
Nafti also praised the European project, born 75 years ago, as a source of inspiration to build international cooperation based on solidarity, respect for national sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs.
In a tense geopolitical context, the Minister wanted to recall the constant position of Tunisia on the Palestinian issue, denouncing “the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people” and reaffirming the unwavering support for its cause, including the right to recover all of its territories, with al-Quds for capital.
Evoking the human foundations of the Tunisian-European partnership, Nafti welcomed scientific and cultural cooperation programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe, emphasizing their key role in the rapprochement of peoples and the promotion of young Tunisian talents.
At the time of assessment and prospective, Tunis and Brussels therefore seem to rethink their partnership with a renewed ambition, with a spirit of mutual respect and strategic complementarity.