Tunisia calls on international community to support its democratic transition

Foreign Minister Mouldi Kefi called on Monday in New York on the international community to support democratic transition in Tunisia and the efforts made to overcome the economic difficulties surrounding in general peoples' revolutions and the effects on Tunisia of the humanitarian and economic crisis in Libya.In his address on behalf of Tunisia to the 66th session of the UN General Assembly, the FM affirmed the will of the Interim Government and all the parties to establish the foundations of actual democracy reinforcing people's sovereignty and enabling them to exercise their right to self-determination. Tunisia's Interim Government is strongly committed to reinforcing human rights and preserving public liberties through the adoption of different measures at national and international levels, he said. He urged in this regard the international community to support Tunisia's efforts through handing over to it all the people involved in crimes against the Tunisian people and recovering the assets embezzled by the former president and his relatives. The Tunisian people, he declared, are the sole owner of these assets and they are particularly in need of them at this delicate stage characterised by great economic and social challenges . Speaking of Tunisian diplomacy after the Revolution of last January 14, the FM said the country is endeavoruing to promote relations with brotherly and friendly states as well as regional and international organisations. He stressed the priority given to the promotion of relations with countries in the immediate vicinity, namely the countries of the Arab Maghreb Union . We would like to resume coordination among AMU member states so as to start a new stage allowing to achieve integration and boost the building up of the Maghreb Union, Kefi said, reminding of Tunisia's efforts to help the brotherly people of Libya . The international community is expected to provide the necessary political support to the national transitional council, legitimate representative of the Libyan people, the FM underlined, so that it might achieve its objectives in compliance with the sovereignty of Libya, the integrity of its territory and the preservation of its gains. He also spoke of Tunisia's commitment to Arab joint action and to the achievement of economic complementarity through the implementation of the Arab common market. As regards the Palestinian issue, the FM reaffirmed Tunisia's constant support to the Palestinian people in their legitimate fight, calling for a fair, permanent and comprehensive settlement to put an end to their sufferings. He reiterated Tunisia's constant support to the Palestinian authority to have access to statehood and be a full member of the UNO. As to the African dimension of tunisia's foreign policy, he reminded of the country's commitment to extend co-operation and increase solidarity with the african states as well as its support to the principles and objectives of the African Union. He also urged to enlarge the security council to include the african continent so as to reinforce the role of the General Assembly. Speaking of Tunisian-European relations, the FM highlighted Tunisia's will to establish advanced and interdependent partnership based on mutual respect and interests. He outpointed as well Tunisia's care to strengthen relations with Australia, The American countries, Asia and the great regional groupings . Tunisia is endeavouring, he said, to diversify its economic partners , especially in North America and to boost co-operation with emerging countries in the two continents. Tunisia is entitled today to recover its position among nations, the FM reckoned, affirming his country's committment to international law .