Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi arrived in Malta on Tuesday on a two-day State visit. He talks to Anthony Manduca about a wide range of issues, including Maltese-Tunisian bilateral relations, migration and the situation in Libya.

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi is hopeful his visit to Malta will give a new impetus to the “excellent” bilateral relations between the two countries.

He points to the 2005 Treaty of Friendship, Good Neighbourhood and Cooperation between the two countries and says the already strong bilateral legal framework should be strengthened, particularly in the areas of early childhood, the elderly, culture and employment.

“Indeed, due to the growing need in Malta for foreign labour, we think there is a niche of opportunities for the Maltese private sector for the recruitment of skilled and qualified Tunisian youths,” he says with reference to the recent declaration by the JobsPlus chairman that Malta will need another 13,000 foreigners this year if it is to maintain its economic growth.

President Essebsi says he looked forward to addressing the third Tunisian-Maltese Business Forum.

“We have huge opportunities to enhance trade between our two partner countries, which still remains below potential. In this regard I would like to highlight the quality and resilience of Maltese foreign direct investment in Tunisia and we invite Maltese companies to strengthen their presence in Tunisia in sectors that interest them, taking advantage of our proximity, both geographical and cultural, as well as the multiple financial and fiscal incentives offered.

“The Tunisian market could serve as a platform for Maltese companies to access other markets in the region as well as African regional groupings, particularly COMESA [Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, a free trade area with 21 Member States], of which Tunisia became a full member in July 2018, as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area [a planned free trade area among 49 of the 55 African Union nations],” he says.

He also says his visit will highlight the role that Malta, an EU member, can play in supporting Tunisia’s positions and bringing Tunisian requests to the EU and its institutions to a successful conclusion.

How concerned is he about the situation in Libya?

“Tunisia has always called for better dialogue on the situation in Libya. We reaffirm Tunisia’s concern not to interfere in the internal affairs of Libya and to keep equidistant from the various Libyan actors. This forms the basis of our contacts with our Libyan brothers and sisters and of the Tunisian initiative for the settlement of the crisis in Libya, to which Algeria and Egypt have joined.

“In this regard Tunisia and neighbouring countries are content to facilitate dialogue and encourage the Libyan people, in collaboration with the United Nations, to sit down at the negotiating table to end the crisis that is shaking the country and to the implementation of the political process.

“The stability of Libya is sine qua non for the stability of Tunisia,” he stresses.

He describes what is happening in the Mediterranean vis-à-vis migration as “a real tragedy”. 

“Thousands of lives lost in the waters of our Mare Nostrum is not acceptable and we border countries and beyond have a role to play is tackling this issue.”

President Essebsi says Tunisia is making a great effort to combat illegal migration and to protect and control its land and sea borders.

“A tremendous effort by the security apparatus is deployed to prevent the departure of makeshift boats. The efforts of the security forces have made it possible to frustrate several attempts at illegal emigration and to arrest several inter-mediaries and members of trafficking networks.”

He says that an important law was passed in Tunisia specifically aimed at preventing the trafficking of persons and a National Anti-Trafficking Body has been set up within the Ministry of Justice.

Tunisia, the President says, believes that migration needs to be addressed as part of a comprehensive approach that tackles the root causes of irregular migration and focuses, in particular, on the development of regions with high migration potential.

We think there is a niche for the Maltese private sector for the recruitment of skilled and qualified Tunisian youths

“We should be guided by the need of solidarity with the countries of origin,” he says, adding that this should be combined with making more of an effort at stabilising Libya and facilitating a political settlement under the aegis of the UN.

Asked why Tunisia is the only success story of the Arab Spring, and how feasible is it for democracy and real political reform to spread to other Arab countries, President Essebsi replies: “There is no such thing as an ‘Arab Spring!’ There could be a beginning of a Tunisian Spring in the aftermath of January 11, 2011.”

He adds: “We in Tunisia have the irrevocable political will to continue on the road to democracy and the establishment of constitutional institutions guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, but we have no intention to export this experience to anywhere else in the world. Those who are interested are most welcome to look at our achievements.”

Tunisia has progressed well politically but still faces a number of challenges on the economic front. Does he believe the international community can do more to help Tunisia’s economy?

“Our major challenges, for which we are called upon to provide urgent solutions, include unemployment, especially young graduates, regional socio-economic imbalances, social demands as well as security challenges. In this ‘Global Village’ nobody is able independently to find the proper solution, and looking at what could be the consequences of Tunisia failing on the way to its transition, I do believe there is much at stake for the international community in enhancing its commitments to my country.”

Although the security situation since the 2015 terror attacks seems to have improved, Tunisia still faces attacks from Islamist militants and Isis-affiliated groups. Is Tunisia capable of defeating these terrorists?

“Yes we are. I am reinforced in my conviction by the many successes we have achieved thanks to the unwavering commitment of our security forces,” he says.

“Violence, obscurantism and extremism are all plagues we must fight together, and we must be more vigilant so that our younger generations are not attracted to radicalism. Hence the need for the implementation of a preventive approach.

“Tunisia has adopted a national strategy, an organic law that led to the creation of a National Commission for the Prevention and Fight against Violent Extremism and Terrorism. An action plan is being developed.”

Regarding Tunisia’s position on Syria and whether there can be a future for the country with Bashar al-Assad as President, Mr Essebsi says his country’s position is based on the principle of giving the highest priority to the preservation of the Syrian State and the security and stability of its people.

“The way to achieve all this is an urgent and comprehensive political settlement that brings together all factions and components of the Syrian people except terrorist groups,” he says.

“Our country supports the political negotiations aimed at finding a way out of the crisis away from bias towards any party as the regime in Syria remains an internal sovereign matter for the Syrian people.

“The Tunisian diplomacy’s priority is currently to focus on continuing efforts in various regional and international fora to push for a political settlement in this brotherly country.”

Beji Caid Essebsi is the founder of the Nidaa Tounes (Call of Tunisia) political party, a secular centrist party which won a plurality of seats in the October 2014 parliamentary election.

In December 2014, he won the first regular presidential election following the Tunisian Revolution, becoming Tunisia’s first freely and directly elected president.
The Tunisian President is directly responsible for foreign and defence policy.

Mr Essebsi previously served as Foreign Minister from 1981 to 1986 and as Prime Minister from February 2011 to December 2011.

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