The EU should not adopt a paternalistic approach towards Tunisia, a country which is steeped in civilisation and history, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg will tell tomorrow’s EU Council Meeting for Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
The EU should also not expect Tunisia to be moulded in Europe’s image and likeness, the Foreign Minister told The Sunday Times.
The Tunisia uprising seems to be secular and oriented towards democracy and it was therefore important for the EU to assist, Dr Borg said.
The void in Tunisia’s government should not last long as it could lead to extremist groups stepping in, he warned.
The danger today is that this revolution does not seem to have a leader, though it is guaranteed by the Tunisian Armed Forces, he said.
The minister said Malta’s relationship with Tunisia had been one of traditional friendship on a “people-to-people” basis; Tunisia is one of Malta’s closest neighbours, sharing good economic and political ties.
“Considering that the Tunisian economy is very much tourism-oriented I have no doubt that following the right moves this revolution will produce stable leadership.”