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Germany and Tunisia – increased support for greater democracy
Foreign Minister Maas and the Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi, © Thomas Imo/photothek.net
Tunisia transformed into a democracy in the course of the Arab Spring. Foreign Minister Maas and his Tunisian counterpart are meeting in Berlin to discuss how Germany can help to bolster social participation, freedom of the press and the rule of law.
Closer cooperation for democracy-building
The occasion for the meeting today (25 June) is the declaration of intent on future cooperation between Germany and Tunisia as part of the Ta’ziz Partnership for Democracy, which Foreign Minister Maas and the Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi have signed. Germany established this partnership to fund projects in four priority countries – Lebanon, the Sudan, Iraq and Tunisia – to bolster democratic structures and the rule of law as well as civil society participation in political processes. In their declaration of intent, Germany and Tunisia have set out seven areas in which they aim to cooperate as part of the Ta’ziz Partnership, including the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, civil society participation and the independence of the media.
Foreign Minister Maas said before the meeting:
The Arabic word ta’ziz refers to strengthening and consolidation, and thus perfectly summarises our shared goal – namely to strengthen democracy in Tunisia and support the consolidation of democratic processes.
Support for economic reform
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the economic situation in Tunisia, necessary reforms and Tunisia’s previous talks with the International Monetary Fund. Foreign Minister Maas assured his counterpart that Germany will continue to stand by the Tunisian Government as it carries out important economic reforms. The COVID-19 pandemic was, of course, also on the agenda. Germany recently provided Tunisia with 25 ventilators.
Partner in the region
Tunisia is an important partner of the German Government in North Africa and is also one of the participants in the Berlin Process. As it shares a border with Libya, Tunisia is particularly affected by developments in the country. The two Ministers discussed the Second Berlin Conference on Libya held this Wednesday (23 June), which the Tunisian Foreign Minister also attended, and the implementation of the conclusions reached there.