EU Parliamentary Delegation in Tunisia to Discuss Political Reforms

Tunisians raise placards and national flags as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis to protest against their president, on April 10, 2022. (AFP)
Tunisians raise placards and national flags as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis to protest against their president, on April 10, 2022. (AFP)
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EU Parliamentary Delegation in Tunisia to Discuss Political Reforms

Tunisians raise placards and national flags as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis to protest against their president, on April 10, 2022. (AFP)
Tunisians raise placards and national flags as they take to the streets of the capital Tunis to protest against their president, on April 10, 2022. (AFP)

Members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee arrived in Tunis on Monday for consultations on the country’s path towards political reforms and a return to institutional stability.

According to observers, the visiting delegation will underline the need for a comprehensive political dialogue, respect for the rule of law, civil liberties and human rights, as well as the importance of having a political system based on democratic principles, especially the principle of the separation of powers.

The delegation was led by Michael Gahler, Standing Rapporteur for Tunisia of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and includes Javier Nart, Jakop Dalunde and Andrea Cozzolino, Chair of Parliament's Inter parliamentary Delegation for relations with Maghreb countries.

During the three-day visit, the senior officials are scheduled to meet with the Tunisian president, representatives of the government, political parties, and civil society to discuss how the EU can continue to support Tunisia in the process of political reform and democratic consolidation.

This ad-hoc delegation will also provide the opportunity to discuss with relevant interlocutors if and how the European Parliament can support Tunisia in preparing for the planned elections at the end of 2022.

In addition, the delegation will pay special attention to the economic situation in Tunisia and on how the EU can best support Tunisian authorities in the implementation of economic reforms for the benefit of all Tunisians.

Due to the suspension of the parliament, Tunisian authorities, and several parties loyal to the president had previously rejected a similar visit by European Parliament members to the country.

They viewed the visit as meddling in Tunisia’s internal affairs.

In response to the visit, Parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi’s assistant Maher Medhioub addressed a letter to the European Parliament, saying Tunis rejects foreign meddling and that it can resolve its problems internally.

There can be no resolving the political crisis without the participation of all elected Tunisians, starting with the parliament, various political parties and social and civil society organizations, he stated.

He added that the beginning of the solution lies with President Kais Saied annulling the extraordinary measures he imposed in July 2021 and reinstating the parliament, which had dissolved earlier this month.

He also proposed the launch of national dialogue to resolve the "deep and dangerous constitutional crisis."



Israel's Military Says 3 Drones Fired from Yemen

FILED - 06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
FILED - 06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
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Israel's Military Says 3 Drones Fired from Yemen

FILED - 06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
FILED - 06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. Photo: Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

Three drones were launched from Yemen toward Israel on Thursday evening, the military said, although there were no injuries according to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service.
The latest drone attack came hours after the Israeli military said the Houthis, a Yemeni militant group backed by Iran, have targeted Israel with more than 40 missiles and around 320 drones since October 2023. The military said the vast majority of the surface-to-surface missiles were intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace, and that the air force intercepted 100 of the drones, reported The Associated Press.
Two drones have exploded inside Israel, in one case killing a man in Tel Aviv and wounding 10 others. Last month, a Houthi missile struck a playground in Tel Aviv, wounding 16 people, and caused damage at an empty school.
The Houthis have also been attacked shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, and say they won’t stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
In response, Israeli and US-led forces have carried out airstrikes in Yemen's capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida, killing dozens. The US has bombed what it says are weapons systems, military bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed militants.
While the damage from Houthi fire in Israel is minimal compared with heavy damage from missiles and drones from Gaza and Lebanon, the persistent launches threaten Israel’s economy, keeping many foreign airlines away and preventing the country from restarting its hard-hit tourism industry.