Tunisia said on Wednesday that it needs more help from its European partners in its transition to democracy because if it fails no other country in the Arab region will succeed.
During a visit to Paris to boost economic ties and seek help to bolster security to fight Islamist militants, foreign minister Mongi Hamdi said his country had done “exemplary” work to move towards elections by the end of the year, but more support was needed.
“We, Tunisians, have done our job, exemplary work,” Hamdi said at a news conference with his French counterpart, Laurent Fabius. “Now we’re waiting for our partners to come and help us accomplish our mission for a democratic transition.”
“Tunisia is not less important than other countries in Europe such as Greece or Ukraine, so it’s in the interest of everybody that Tunisia succeeds in this transition,” Hamdi said. “We must ensure that Tunisia is a success story because if it doesn’t then no other Arab country will succeed.”
“If there is one country that can get out of the crisis it’s Tunisia, so we are supporting not only with our hearts, but our minds,” Fabius said.
(Voice of America)
