2006 Foreign Policy Speech by President Ben Ali Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the closing of the annual conference of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions Carthage, August 10, 2006 In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate Ambassadors and Heads of Consular Missions, Ladies and Gentlemen, We close today the proceedings of your annual conference. We have, in fact, been keen on ensuring the regular holding of this conference, making of it a renewed opportunity to assess the performance of our diplomatic and consular missions, and to promote their working methods; thus enhancing their efficiency and fostering their contribution to implementing our development programs and consolidating Tunisia’s position on the international scene. I have followed, with great interest, the proceedings of your conference during which you have addressed the ways and means to further consolidate Tunisia’s international stature, and to make new steps in consular action in order to serve Tunisian communities abroad and economic cooperation with your countries of accreditation. I would like to express my appreciation of Tunisia’s increasing presence in the various parts of the world and its active participation in international meetings, with the remarkable dynamism that has characterized this participation, in implementation of the plan we gave instructions to establish at the beginning of the current year. I am indeed confident in your determination to pursue your action for further making known your country’s gains in all fields, and for promoting our relations with the sisterly and friendly countries to which we have accredited you. Tunisia has indeed held its due place on the international scene, thanks to the numerous and diverse achievements it has made in the political, economic, social and cultural fields, and also thanks to its ability to consciously adapt to the developments of the time, its strong belief in the values of moderation, tolerance and solidarity, and its diligent endeavor to acquire the most recent knowledge, sciences and technologies. Tunisia has spared no effort to present numerous initiatives to tackle some of the issues that are acutely posing themselves on the international community, particularly extremism and terrorism. Since 1993, we have called for holding an international conference in this field, and for adopting a code of conduct to which all parties shall be committed. This initiative has been met with approval and consideration on the part of numerous regional and international bodies, including the Euro-Mediterranean Summit held in Barcelona in November 2005. We have also been keen on strengthening the bonds of cooperation and solidarity among peoples, advocating dialogue and consensus in international relations, and consecrating coexistence and complementarity among cultures, civilizations and religions. In this context, we called for holding a World Summit on the Information Society whose second phase was hosted by Tunisia. It was indeed a landmark event and an important achievement that has materialized our approach aimed at bridging the digital divide in the world and allowing all countries to benefit from information technologies. We hope the international and UN efforts will be joined to follow up and implement the decisions of this Summit. The election of Tunisia as member of the UN Human Rights Council constitutes a new confirmation of the respect our country enjoys on the international scene, as well as a recognition, on the part of the international community, as to the soundness of our comprehensive vision of human rights and the consecration of their exercise in all fields and at all levels. The presence of Tunisia within international and UN institutions and bodies, particularly the councils and bodies managing the UN specialized agencies, and the choice of our country to chair the UN Economic and Social Council, constitute very telling indicators as to the international community’s confidence in the Tunisian approach, and our country’s capacity to help find practical solutions to many development problems. Ladies and Gentlemen, We are following, with deep concern, the painful situation endured by the two brotherly peoples in Palestine and Lebanon, as a result of the Israeli military aggression, and the resulting casualties and daily suffering of innocent civilians, particularly children and women, displacement of the population, large-scale destruction of infrastructure and public installations, and tragic conditions at all levels, which constitutes a flagrant violation of human rights, of the sovereignty of states, and of the dignity of peoples. While recalling the firm position we have taken from the start, calling for an immediate ceasefire, the sparing of innocent lives, and return to negotiation and diplomatic and peaceful solutions, we reaffirm our support to sisterly Lebanon, and exhort the members of the Security Council to speed up consultations in order to reach to this end a UN resolution that is acceptable by sisterly Lebanon and can be implemented on the ground as soon as possible, so as to make room for dialogue and negotiation-based settlement of the current conflict. We also call on the group of Arab States, particularly the countries blessed with material means, to take a firm stand of solidarity in which we all pledge and commit ourselves to the reconstruction of Lebanon and Palestine, and the removal of the legacy of devastation caused by the Israeli aggression, thus allowing the brotherly Lebanese and Palestinian peoples to overcome the consequences of the tragedy they are facing, in a scene that is unacceptable by any of the most basic standards of human principles, a scene in the face of which the international community and particularly the influential powers have not assumed their responsibility to act promptly and efficiently to put an end to the bloodshed. We also emphasize that settling the Lebanese crisis cannot be dissoociated from the fundamental Middle-East issue, namely the cause of the brotherly Palestinian people who, more than ever before, needs international protection and immedite intervention, in order to put an end to violence and provide propitious conditions for the resumption of the peace process, in such a way as to ensure security and stability in the region and in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, For us, the Arab Maghreb Union remains a firm strategic choice and a civilizational achievement for all our peoples. We are pursuing our endeavors, jointly with our brothers the Leaders of Maghreb countries, to further activate our Union and to consolidate its institutions and structures, in order to ensure economic integration within this space, and enable it to be a competent interlocutor with other regional and international groupings. At the Arab level, we are keen on pursuing and stepping up efforts in order to strengthen inter-Arab solidarity, reinforce the unity of ranks and positions, promote joint Arab action, and move ahead in the process of development and modernization adopted during the Tunis Summit. This in addition to the importance we attach to Arab economic complementarity, particularly through the great Arab free-trade zone which Tunisia was among the first countries to join. On the other hand, we hope the brotherly Iraqi people will manage to find appropriate solutions to its national problems, by adopting constructive dialogue among its various components, which will offer it security and stability, and allow it to devote its efforts to the reconstruction of its country. Tunisia’s relations with the European Union are of a special importance, confirmed by our determination to establish a solidarity-based partnership with this space, founded on mutual respect, dialogue, consultation, and the preservation of the interests of all parties. We hope this partnership will be further consolidated and diversified at the level of commercial exchanges, the flow of investments, the promotion of exchange in the field of services and the movement of persons, and the intensification of the Tunisian participation in the European scientific and technological programs. We are determined to achieve better coordination with the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region, and to contribute to enhancing the Barcelona Process which needs a new dynamism ensuring communication and interaction between the two shores of the Mediterranean. Tunisia remains faithful to its belonging to the African continent which represents its strategic foundation. It will pursue its efforts to promote cooperation with African countries, as part of solidarity-based development, and to reinforce the fields of joint African action, particularly the African Union and the other regional organizations, which will help the Continent enhance its own capacities, and allow it to achieve integration within the process of economic globalization, and, therefore, to achieve development, security and stability throughout the Continent. Moreover, promoting cooperation with the countries of the American and Asian continents goes in line with the deep-rooted relations existing between our Tunisia and these countries with which we are endeavoring to reinforce the fields of partnership and to diversify its platform. Our diplomacy is required to make best use of the excellent relations linking Tunisia to the countries of both continents, and to explore the opportunities offered by bilateral cooperation, in order to enhance economic partnership, investment and exports. Ladies and Gentlemen, The current challenges require that we intensify our country’s presence in the various regional and international spaces, relying, in this regard, on the strong relations of cooperation and respect we have with sisterly and brotherly countries, as well as on the brilliant image and credibility our country enjoys on the international scene. In this context, I exhort you to intensify and diversify your action with all influential parties and centers, in order to further make known Tunisia’s progression and its successes in various fields, and to explain its positions vis-à-vis all the world issues. Given the fundamental role played by economic diplomacy in sustaining national development programs, I would like to reaffirm the importance we attach to this dimension in our international relations. I, therefore, call on you to step up efforts in order to make known the incentives and encouragements characterizing the climate of investment in Tunisia; the aim being to provide best chances of success for our economic plans. Our diplomacy is also required to pursue the promotion of our commercial relations with sisterly and friendly countries to the sought levels, to enlarge and diversify technical cooperation with these countries in all fields, and to explore opportunities that are in line with the needs of the recruiting parties, covering such new sectors as services and modern technologies. While emphasizing the continuous attention we accord our fellow-citizens abroad, and our constant determination to offer them all due care, to follow up their conditions, and to listen to their concerns, I again exhort you to step up action in order to improve the services offered to them and facilitate their living conditions in their countries of residence. For in our view, protecting the rights of our communities abroad represents a constant tenet of diplomatic action, particularly in this difficult juncture and in light of the huge challenges marking the world, which we can meet only by joining the efforts of all official and associative bodies. You are also required to sensitize the members of our communities abroad to the need to enhance their contribution to the national development effort, and to be always vigilant in order to defend the integrity of our country, and stand against detractors and those who cast doubts upon its sound choices and successful progression. Ladies and Gentlemen, One of the most urgent tasks entrusted to Tunisian diplomacy is to show vitality and a sense of initiative, and to actively keep up with the changes and developments occurring at the regional and international levels, in addition to being fully and accurately conversant with the achievements and gains accomplished in our country in all development sectors, as well as with the measures and initiatives we constantly take to promote the democratic and pluralist edifice, to anchor human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to extend economic prosperity and social well-being to all individuals, categories and regions. I would like to commend the high sense of enthusiasm and patriotism you have shown in accomplishing your noble tasks, and to pay tribute to the honorable mission with which you are entrusted in serving Tunisia with devotion, defending its interests, highlighting its positions, and consolidating its image. I am confident that you will persevere in further enriching Tunisia’s relations with your countries of accreditation, and in providing as many opportunities of cooperation, partnership and consultation with these countries as possible, which will serve the interests of all parties and promote peace and stability in the world. Thank you for your attention.