Following the first summit between the European Union and Tunisia in Brussels, Tunisian President Béji Caïd Essebsi discusses the war in Libya, the fight against terrorism and the investment conference of Tunisia 2020.
Charles Salamé, euronews:
Mr President of the Republic of Tunisia, Beiji Caïd Essebsi, you are in Brussels on the occasion of the first EU-Tunisia summit, thank you for being with us on euronews.
President Beiji Caïd Essebsi:
Thank you.
euronews:
At the investment conference Tunisia 2020, your country obtained approximately 14 billion euros, equivalent to the Tunisian budget for 2017. What do you expect from the EU-Tunisia summit, do you consider that the European Union has sufficiently helped?
President Beiji Caïd Essebsi:
First of all, for a long time, we have been cooperating with the European Union on several levels, now it appears that the European Union has made considerable steps to help Tunisia, it may be insufficient but for us it is still an important step.
euronews:
Insufficient you say, what more do you ask of the European Union?
President Beiji Caïd Essebsi:
We call for support for our commitment to democracy, which is a difficult choice in the current context of the region where we are. Tunisia is an exception in this region of the world. Our success in the path of democratization must be sustained in view of our relations with the European Union and the democratic choices undertaken by Tunisia, which is not the case in other countries. Europe, which always encourages us to continue our efforts, must be in solidarity with us financially and politically. And even if it is only political solidarity that would suffice.
euronews:
Mr President, many questions have arisen about the financial aid granted to Tunisia by Qatar, will this aid end as soon as the coalition government ceases with the “Al-Nahda” party supported by Qatar?
President Beiji Caid Essebsi:
First of all, financial aid from Qatar is one of many. Secondly, Qatari support is not new, we have been cooperating for many years with Qatar and it has nothing to do with the Al-Nahda party, which is part of the Tunisian government, thus with Al-Nahda and without Al-Nahda, Qatari aid to the Tunisian government will exist. We do not agree with the interpretations that Qatar is helping Tunisia, thanks to a coalition with the Al-Nahda party.
Biography: Beji Caid Essebi
Prime Minister of Tunisia from February to December 2011
Founder of the Nidaa Tounes political party, 2012
In 2014 he became the 5th President of Tunisia
Born Nov 29, 1926 he is currently the oldest Arab president
euronews:
Mr President, investments disappears if security is threatened. What are you doing for security in Tunisia?
President Beji Caid Essebsi:
First, we are fighting terrorism, we are concerned about the security of our citizens because the fight against terrorism is the symbol of security in Tunisia. But it must be said that Tunisia is at the forefront in t
