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FOREIGN POLICY
Tunisia has managed, thanks to President Zine El Abidine
Ben Ali's farsighted view of international developments and their corollary in terms of challenges and stakes,
to follow a judicious, well-balanced domestic and foreign policy. This has enabled it to be constantly in tune
with the set of regional and international changes and to assert itself as an active, credible partner in international
affairs
For fairer and better balanced international relations
Given the constant elements and trends set out by President Ben Ali for Tunisia's foreign policy, based on protecting
Tunisia's national interests and on the principles of international law, Tunisia has advocated an approach that
would further humanise human relations, boost the values of cooperation and solidarity among nations, and promote
inter-cultural and inter-civilisational dialogue.
- International
recognition
for Tunisia's approach
Tunisia has opted for a comprehensive approach to handling all security and development issues, an approach based
on the close correlation between the aspects of security, peace and development. The best illustration of this
was the initiative launched in 1989 by President Ben Ali from the United Nations Organisation rostrum for this
approach to be adopted. This has constituted the basis of our country's action, as part of its efforts to advance
the causes of international peace and security in their different security, economic and social aspects.
- Tunisia, first country to call for an international
approach in the fight against terrorism.
Tunisia was the first country to call, in 1993, for the holding of an International Conference under the aegis
of the UN to discuss the fight against terrorism and the adoption of a code of ethics that would usher in close
international cooperation in the fight against this scourge, in the interest of international peace and security.
This approach was adopted by the regional assemblies of which Tunisia is a member, like the Non-Aligned Movement,
the African Union, the Islamic Conference Organization and the Euro-Mediterranean Process.
Also, in November 2007, Tunisia hosted an international conference on the fight against terrorism.
- Enshrining the solidarity aspect in international relations
The success of the National Solidarity Fund and the gains
and achievements to which this experiment gave rise in fighting poverty and boosting disadvantaged areas, encouraged
Tunisia to give this experience an international dimension and to launch an initiative to set up a world solidarity
fund. This suggestion was adopted unanimously, on 20 December 2002, by the UN General Assembly. In 2005, another
Tunisian proposal, to make 20 December of every year World Solidarity Day, was also adopted.
- Increased accessibility of ICT's
The UN adopted a proposal presented by Tunisia in 1998 for the holding of a world summit on the information society,
intended to reduce the digital divide between the developed and the developing countries.
The second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society, held in Tunis in November 2005, was a major world
event. Its effect was obvious in the massive, unprecedented international presence at this world forum, with almost
30,000 participants. It also stood out for the excellence of the organisation of the Summit and the quality of
its resolutions and recommendations.
- Tunis, international capital of the dialogue of civilisations,
cultures and religions
Strongly believing in the importance of fostering dialogue between civilisations, cultures and religions, and in
encouraging the dissemination of the values of moderation and the golden mean, Tunisia has frequently launched
initiatives such as the Carthage Charter for Tolerance, adopted in 1995, the creation of the Ben Ali Chair for
the dialogue among civilisations and religions (2001) and the instituting of two international prizes, one for
solidarity and the other for studies on enlightened Islamic thought, as well as holding many symposiums and other
conferences in Tunisia on the dialogue among civilisations. One result was that Kairouan was chosen to be the capital
of Islamic culture for 2009.
to peace-keeping operations
Tunisia's active participation in UN peace-keeping operations is the result of a strong attachment to the aims
of the United Nations Charter as regards international peace-keeping and security.
Since the Change of November 7,1987, Tunisia has taken part in 15 peace-keeping operations, particularly in Africa,
especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Côte d'Ivoire and the Central African
Republic.
Tunisia, wishing to help bring security and stability
to its regional and international environment, from the very first days of the Change was determined to work to
settle the whole set of the region's problems and confront the challenges they posed and that constituted a threat
to world security and stability.
As well as taking an active part in the various conferences to help the Palestinian people, it made a contribution
that was appreciated to building the institutions of the Palestinian people and upgrading human resources.
The fact that the Syndicate of Palestinian Journalists chose President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as the outstanding
world political figure of 2006, and that it awarded him the Coat of Arms of Al Quds, shows how grateful the Palestinian
people are for his constant support to the Palestinian cause.
- Supporting national unity in Lebanon
Tunisia has given concrete form to its support for the
brotherly people of Lebanon and to its solidarity with that people. With great satisfaction it welcomed the Doha
Accord of 21 May 2008 that ended the 18-month-long crisis.
- Helping settle the Iraqi issue
From the start of the Iraq crisis, Tunisia has adopted
a principled stance based on enshrining the principles of international law and respecting the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of states.
Tunisia is participating in the regional and international efforts to enable Iraq to recover its security, stability
and national unity, in a spirit of concord and reconciliation between all the elements that make up the Iraqi political
scene, so that it can focus on development and reconstruction in security and stability.
Increased integration of Tunisia within its regional
and international space.
Consecrating Tunisia's belonging to the Maghreb space has been an essential part of the President's policy, one
that he has made into an unavoidable strategic choice.
Since the Change, Tunisia has striven to develop its political relations and economic cooperation with Libya, Algeria,
Morocco and Mauritania. Trade with these countries has largely increased since 1987.
- The Arab and Islamic space
Tunisia has always been careful to maintain its roots
in its Arab environment and its permanent commitment to joint Arab action, in the service of Arab solidarity, united
ranks, and constancy of stance on basic Arab causes.
The 16th Arab Summit, held in Tunis (2004) marked an important moment when a qualitative change started in common
Arab action, strengthening the determination of the Arab community to support the all-out reform and modernisation
process, enhance the bases of democracy and work to protect human rights, promote the role of women and consecrate
openness on the outside world.
Also, Tunisia hosts the League of Arab States Centre and several specialized Arab organisations, such as ALECSO,
ASBU, the Arab Atomic Energy Authority, the General Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of the Interior,
and the Arab Organisation for Information and Communications Technologies.
Furthermore, Tunisia has striven to develop links of fraternity and solidarity between Islamic states, especially
as regards highlighting the noble values and founding principles of Islam asa religion of tolerance, moderation
and the golden mean.
o The African environment.
The holding in Tunis in 1994 of the 30th African Summit was an outstanding event on the path to joint African action,
seen in the active role of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during his term as Chairman of the Pan-African Organisation
from June 1994 to June 1995. This role consisted of his initiatives to settle existing conflicts, usher in peace
and stability in Africa, and promote African relations on the basis of cooperation and solidarity.
Tunisia also took part in setting up the African Union in 2001 and played an important part at its events. It took
an equally active part in African integration issues, especially in the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD),
and other forums such as the Organisation of the French-speaking World.
At the bilateral level, Tunisia has worked to develop trade and relations of technical cooperation with the African
states through promoting Tunisian exports and making Tunisian skills available to interested African states, as
part of bilateral or triangular cooperation.
- The European and Mediterranean space
Tunisia and Europe are linked by very old relations with
strategic, geopolitical, economic and cultural aspects. Europe is Tunisia's number one partner; its share of foreign
trade is 80%. It is also the number one source of direct foreign investment, above and beyond the diversity and
richness of our financial, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation and the powerful flow of tourists. Europe
is home to a large percentage of Tunisian expatriates.
Tunisia was the first state on the southern shore of the Mediterranean to sign an association agreement with the
EU (1995). It was also the first country on the southern shore of the Mediterranean to set up a free trade area
with the European Union (January 2008).
As regards the Euro-Mediterranean space, Tunisia supported the 1990 launching of the '5+5 Dialogue', which it helped
design, and whose re-launching it encouraged, holding its first Summit in Tunis in 2003.
Tunisia made an active contribution to the Barcelona Process and hailed the advent of the Union for the Mediterranean,
whose founding act was brought about by the Paris Summit on 13 July 2008.
- The countries of America and Asia
Tunisia has always worked to develop its relations with
the countries of America and Asia, believing in the political importance and economic weight these countries have
internationally. It is also determined to diversify its partners, get access to new profitable markets and explore
new opportunities for cooperation.
Recent years have seen the holding of many joint commissions between Tunisia and these countries, giving rise to
the signing of cooperation agreements in various fields, as well as a great amount of visits exchanged between
top officials, businessmen and experts.
Tunisia's relations with international organisations:
Tunisia's multilateral diplomatic presence has been strengthened since the Change by its active participation at
regional and international conferences and by better representation of the country at the main events of international
organisations.
The choice of Tunisia as a non-permanent member of the
Security Council for the period 2000-2001 offered an opportunity for Tunisia to reaffirm its lucid vision on the
handling of international affairs, making a close correlation between the aspects of peace, security, stability
and development, and on the need to deal with the deeper causes of under-development, poverty and exclusion, in
order to prevent factors of tension and instability around the world.
To enshrine the spirit of national solidarity and the
Tunisian approach to international problems, the President of the Republic launched in 1989 an appeal from the
rostrum of the United Nations for the signing of a contract of peace and development between countries of the north
and of the south. He also took part in the Millennium Summit (2000), which adopted the Millennium Development Goals.
Tunisia has also chaired several of the UN General Assembly's sector-based commissions and taken part in international
summits and conferences, assuming a distinguished role in the work of the Commission for Economic and Financial
Affairs, the Commission for Political Affairs and Decolonisation, the Commission for Social, Humanitarian and Cultural
Affairs, and the Commission on women's condition.
During the period when it sat in this body for the 2004-2006 mandate, and of which it was President in 2006, Tunisia
made an active contribution to implementing many of the international community's priorities in the economic, social,
technical and environmental fields and crafting innovative development strategies.
On 9 May 2006, Tunisia was elected founding member of this newly created UN body, in recognition of the gains and
soundness of its comprehensive approach in the field of human rights.
Tunisia deepened its gains in economic, financial, scientific and technological cooperation with the UN specialist
structures and bodies. Tunisia, a founding member of the World Trade Organisation, signed many multilateral agreements.
- International appreciation of Tunisia's achievements
Tunisia deserves to hold its advanced positions among
the states of the world in the political, economic, social and development fields, according to the criteria of
the international specialist organisations, thus confirming the positive assessment made of its economy by the
Davos World Economic Forum, which recently ranked Tunisia 1st in the Maghreb and in Africa in terms of global competitiveness.
Peacemaking
Tunisia has consistently pursued a balanced policy of openness and
moderation in its international relations. It has always endeavored to promote a comprehensive and peaceful settlement
of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which ensures a just and lasting peace in the region. Within this framework, Tunisia
took part in the Madrid Conference and has fully supported the Middle East Peace Process by actively participating
in its multilateral track and contributing to the realization to the Palestinian-Israeli agreements. It has advocated
peaceful settlement of conflicts around the world, especially in Africa.
Peacekeeping
Tunisia has participated in various humanitarian relief and peacekeeping
operations around the world since the 1960's. More recently it has dispatched hundreds of peacekeepers to Cambodia,
Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi.
The Mediterranean
Tunisia places particular importance on economic integration and
cooperation with the countries of the Maghreb and between the two flanks of the Mediterranean. President Ben Ali
has advocated a relationship of co-development and interdependence between the European Community and the southern
flank of the Mediterranean. On July 17, 1995, Tunisia was the first country South of the Mediterranean to sign
an agreement of association with the European Union. On July 19, 1995, eleven countries took part in a regional
meeting held in the Tunisian city of Tabarka with the aim of laying the ground for the Euro-Mediterranean Conference
of Barcelona (November 1995.) The ancient Tunisian city of Carthage hosted on April 21-22, 1995, a Symposium on
the Teaching of Tolerance in the Mediterranean. Participants adopted a major document, known as the "Carthage Charter on Tolerance in the Mediterranean."
Tunisia advocates international relations based on cooperation and mutual help. In 1999, President Ben Ali called
for the creation of a World Solidarity Fund. His initiative was unanimously adopted by the U.N General Assembly
in the year 2002 ( www.solidarity-fund.org)
Relations with the US
Relations between Tunisia and the United States date back to the
eighteenth century when Tunisia signed a treaty of friendship with the young American republic. Strong ties of
cooperation were developed between both countries since Tunisia's independence in 1956. The two nations maintain
today close relations of friendship and cooperation. President Ben Ali last visited the United States in February
2004.
See History of Tunisian American Relations.
Hosting international events : Tunisia hosted the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), in November 2005. It also hosted the
Summit of Arab States, in May 2004, and the Organization of Africain Unity Summit in 1994.
Tunisia's Stand against Terrorism
Tunisia has consistently condemned extremism and terrorism in all its manifestations.
See also: President Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali at the opening of the International
Conference on “Terrorism : Dimensions, Threats and Countermeasures”
( Carthage , November 15, 2007)
International Organizations
Tunisia is a member of various international and regional organizations including the United Nations, the League
of Arab States, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Organization of African Unity and the Islamic Conference Organization.
In all such fora, Tunisia has advocated peaceful settlement of conflicts, tolerance and dialogue.
Address by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
at the ceremony of accreditation of new foreign ambassadors
(Carthage, July 10, 2008)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
at the closing of the annual conference of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions (10 August 2006)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the closing
of the annual conference of the Heads of Diplomatic and Consular missions (8
August 2005)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the closing
of the annual conference of the Heads of Diplomatic and Consular missions (6
August 2004)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (15 January 2004)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members
of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (23 January 2003)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members
of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (15 January 2002)
Foreign Policy Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
(29 January 2001)
Foreign Policy Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
(27 January 2000)
Adress by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the
Ceremony for the Accreditation of New Foreign Ambassadors (13 January 2000)
Speech by President Ben Ali at the closing of the annual conference
of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions (25 August 99)
Speech by President Ben Ali on the opning
of the International Conference on Terrorism in Tunis
( 15 november 2007).
Foreign Policy Speech by President Ben Ali (28 January 99)
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