The EU follows the situation in Tunisia with “concern” and urges to find “answers” to the country’s challenges

BRUSSELS, 22 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Union has indicated this Wednesday that it is following the events in Tunisia with “concern” after the arrest of opponents and members of civil society and has urged “to find the appropriate responses to the many challenges facing the country.”

“The EU is following the recent events in Tunisia closely and with concern, a very close neighbor with whom we have a deep and strategic partnership,” said a statement from the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, which avoided mentioning direct to the arrest of opponents or political instability.

Of course, he recognizes that the country is going through “a delicate moment” and stresses the expectation that the authorities “will be able to find adequate responses to the multiple current and future challenges of the country.” To this end, the EU sees it as “crucial” that all political forces in Tunisia cooperate and work for a common and inclusive project.

In the midst of the serious economic crisis that the country is suffering, the person in charge of European diplomacy has indicated his “concern” with the deterioration of the economic situation and the social impact of the crisis. In this sense, he has affirmed that he will discuss the situation with the European foreign ministers and a debate is expected at the next meeting in March focused on Tunisia.

In recent weeks there have been arrests of opposition leaders, members of the judiciary, journalists and activists. Saied has promoted a series of measures to reform the political system in Tunisia, including a constitutional referendum, approved in the midst of the opposition boycott, which reinforces the powers of the Presidency.

The opposition has denounced the authoritarian drift of the president and has demanded his resignation, especially after the very low turnout in the December and January legislatures.