EU-Tunisia relations discussed at Euro Parliament

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil formed part of a delegation from the European People's Party (EPP) which met the Tunisian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Abdalwahab Abdallah, last week. The minister was paying a courtesy visit to the new EPP group head, Joseph Daul, following his recent election as chairman of the largest political grouping in the European Parliament.

Also taking part in the meeting were Vito Bonsignore, vice-chairman of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly, Tokia Saifi, president of the Political Committee of Euro-Med Parliamentary Assembly, and Rodi Kratsa, the recently-elected first vice-president of the European Parliament.

Dr Busuttil, who is vice-president of the Parliament's Maghreb delegation, welcomed Mr Abdallah to Parliament. He said that whereas Tunisia was a model for good co-operation in the economic and social spheres, from time to time it was singled out for its human rights record.

He said that the EPP-ED group was keen to support Tunisia but sought signals from the country that progress was also being registered on human rights.

"We are your friends in the European Parliament," Dr Busuttil told the Tunisian minister, "but we need you to help us help you".

Replying, Minister Abdallah expressed his appreciation for the EPP's friendship. He also called for a more regular and broader relationship with the European Parliament so that any misunderstandings can be immediately clarified.