Tunisia Consul Trabelsi to EF: Authenticity+Peace in Constitution-fueled 2016 EuroFair Honored Guest

*Strasbourg/Palace of Music and Congresses/Angelo Marcopolo/- The 2015 NOBEL Peace Prize award Winner Country, Tunisia, who is Guest of Honour at 2016 "Euro-Fair", due to be Inaugurated by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls Next Week in Strasbourg, aims to bring a Message of "Authenticity and Peace", told "Eurofora" its Consul General, in charge also of Relations with EU Parliament and the PanEuropean CoE, (where Tunis holds a Partner status), Mohamed Trabelsi, who also stressed that, in fact, Both Political and Economic expected Developments around that Country with Historic Civilisation, but also World-Famous Cradle of the "Arab Spring's" Hopes, are, in one way or another, more or less Fueled by the Potential Value of its "New Constitution", elaborated with the Help of CoE's "Venice Commission" for "Democracy and Human Rights through Law", (See Infra).

In this regard, he also confirmed to "Eurofora", that this New Tunisian Constitution, indeed contained several of those, Interesting and quite Original Elements, that we had Discussed, at a Press Conference in the CoE, with the Experienced President of the country's Constituent Assembly, Ben Jafar, who was Preparing that Important Text, already as Early as since 2012 (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/tunisianrevolutionideasondemocracy.html), about People's Democratic Powers, Citizens' Human Rights, and/or some Direct Democracy/Good Governance aspects, that may be Useful even for Europe's current Quest to overcome a rampant Crisis of a Traditional, Established Democracy Format, (as, f.ex., CoE's Annual "World Democracy Forum" Mega-Gathering debates each Autumn in Strasbourg), which may have been more or less Inspired by the Popular Uprising notoriously Triggered by the Mythical Sacrifice of Self-Imolated Protestor, the Young Bouazizi, reportedly Revolted against a Brutal and Oppressive stance by some Agents of the previous Regime, under which he had not only been abandoned unable to find any Work corresponding to his capacities, but was even Hindered to make a living for his Family by accepting to take a Humble Job of Fruits and Vegetables' Seller at the Street, where they had Violently Broken a Wooden Table that he used, argying that he didn't have yet any Required "Authorisation" to do so, (Comp.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/arabspringbouazizizacharovprize.html)...

As Strasbourg's European/International Relations' Head, Miss Nawel Rafik-Elmrini, pointed out Earlier Today, speaking to Journalists, including "Eurofora", during the Annual Press Conference for the Inauguration of the New "Euro-Fair", (Comp. Rafik-Elmrini's Statements to "Eurofora", at : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/strasbourgofficialonbusinesscenterfacingeuparliament.html), the City which Hosts Both CoE's HeadQuarters and EU Parliament's Full Plenary Sessions Each Month, aims to "Express its Solidarity with Tunisia", recently hit by Extremist Islamists' Terrorism, almost at the Same Time as Paris and other areas in France, as CoE's Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland, as well as many MEPs at a long  EU Parliament's Debate held on July 2015 in Strasbourg Denounced, (See, f.ex. : .....), also Stressing the Need to Help Tunisia to succesfully overcome such problems.

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Trabelsi, who was Trained and Worked as a Diplomat at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, HighLighted, particularly from an Interesting, Substantialy Political Viewpoint, a Comprehensive Overview of Tunisia's recent Past, Present and Future Socio-Political and Economic Developments :

F.ex., After the World-Famous "2011 Revolution", and a "1st Stage" mainly full of "Changes", but "in a Difficult Regional and International Context", between 2011-2014, when "the Priority was to Stabilize Tunisia and put it on the road of Democracy and Freedom", as he said, succeeding, also with CoE's Help, to Adopt a Modern Constitution, set up Democratic Institutions and Hold Democratic Elections", despite a "Relentless Harassment by Terrorist Grouplets", the Country traversed a kind of "Intermediary Period", between 2014-2016, during which the Focus was mainly on "Vigilance, Resilience and Resistance", as well as on "Stabilisation", when it also Won the NOBEL "Peace" Prize for its Political and Civil Society "Dialogue", as he reminded).

While Nowadays, with a Brand "New Government of National Unity", based on "the Agreement of Carthage", signed Both "by Political Parties and Civil Society" actors, Tunisia has Focused mainly "on Economic ReVival, between 2016-2020", Fixing "6 Priorities" for that purpose, he pointed out :

- "1st, Win the Fight against Terrorism", (a "TransBorder Phenomenon, that we must Fight Together with our European Friends, including, particularly France", as he observed).
- "2nd", Boost the Speed of "Growth and Development", in order to obtain the Economic and Employment Targets.
- "3rd, the Struggle against Corruption and the Foundation of a Good Governance".
 - "4rth, Take Control of the Financial Balances, and pursue an Efficient Social Policy".
 - "5th, Regional and Local Admistration policies, aiming to Ameliorate the Conditions of Life for Citizens", (considering also the Fact that "Regional Disparities" in Economic Development, Employment, etc., notoriously were also at the origin of the 2011 Popular Revolt).
- Last, but not least, "6th, Complete the Instauration of the New Institutions, and Consoldidate the recent Constitutional Reforms", which "are an Asset for Country", as he willingly acknowledged.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                => A forthcoming, Major International Conference scheduled in Tunis, on 29 - 30 November 2016, at the Highest Level, "on Investment and Partnership", under the Heading ; - "Road to Inclusion, Sustainability and Efficiency", is due to play a Crucial Role, particularly in order to "ReLaunch the Economy and Offer some Great Perspectives to Foreign Investments".

They are due to be Facilitated by Reforms and subsequent Measures of Support to Growth, in order to Obtain the main Aims of the "2016-2020 Development Plan", agreed after a large "Concertation" which designed "a Model of Socio-Economic Development" particularly Based on "Attractivity" of the Economy, and "more Efficiency", making Good Use of "Qualified Human Resources" and adequate "Infrastructures", as well as about 25 Billions $ of projects supported by the State and Pubic Enterprises, among some 60 Billions £ of Investments, mainly with the Private Sector, National and International, able to Create around 400.000 Jobs at the Horizon, (where France, Together with other EU Countries, could play an Important role, since it's currently the 1st Foreign Investor in the Country, as well as its 1st Client and Provider).

In this regard, inter alia, in Addition to 9 International Airports and 7 Commercial Seaports, as well as quite Dense internal Transport Networks, Tunisia notoriously has also a fairly well Educated Young WorkForce, but also a "Digital Economy" Communication Infrastructure, a Digital Education, Training and Incubators, with "e-Business" and "Smart Tunisia", "e-Gov" and "Open-Gov" Public Administratiobn Digitalisation, etc., as remind also Official Documents Distributed by the Organizers to Strasbourg's Press Today, while "Eurofora" has had several occasions to Witness, both Tunis' Pioneer Role in Past UNO Mega-Events on Global Digital Society and against the Digital Divide, initialy Organized at nearby Geneva's UNO's PanEuropean Headquarters, followed by Tunis and Athens, etc., added to a Growing Pioneer Role (Together with Moroco, etc) among African and other Developing Countries in the World, also on the Legal Framework for the Protection of Private and Personal Data, - as also Recent CoE's Conferences in Strasbourg, with the Participation of EU and UNO Key Senior Officials, etc., witnessed (See, f.ex. : ....), - which is a preCondition for a Free, TransBorder Flow of Data, that can Boost various kinds of Local Productive Treatment and other relevant Cooperations in the foreseable Future of a European Digital Society and Economy, due to receive a Boost after the 2017 Political RDV in France, Germany and other key Countries.

All this obviously Fits quite Well also with Strasbourg 2016 "EuroFair"'s Topical Focus mainly on "Digital" Society, f.ex. by the European innovation Award "Lepine" Competition's "Connected Space" outlets, as Rafik-Elmrini pointed out Earlier Today, and its President, the Experienced Gerard Dorey, developed Further, during the relevant Press Conference Today, as well as in subsequent Statements to "Eurofora", (Comp., f.ex.: http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/strasbourgofficialonbusinesscenterfacingeuparliament.html + http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/innovationawardpresidentondroneneareuparliament.html).

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+ Consul Trabelsi's  presentation was usefuly Completed by that of Miss Wahida Jaiet, from Tunisia's Office of Tourism, HQ in Paris, who Stressed the Fact that the Country has emerged from "a History of many Thousand Years", since the Ancient Times, (i.e. already since the World-Famous Hannibal's times, considered the Best Strategist of all Times by Napoleon and others, when Carthage was like a Bridge between Northern Africa and Europe, and notoriously Just Missed a Unique Opportunity to even enter inside Rome), with an overMillenary "Civilisation", that has led UNESCO to declare several Monuments, sites and/or Cities' parts as "World Cultural Heritage".

Including, f.ex., the Famous Historic City of Kairouan, already Twinned with Strasbourg, and actively Present in this 2016 "EuroFair", etc. [Previously called Caravan or Qayrawan, (and located at the Neighborhood of a former Greek Byzantine Empire's Castle of Kamounia), Kairouan Developed mainly during the Arab Civilisation era from 600-700 AD, before the Invasion and Occupation of all Arab Countries (except from Moroco) by the Ottoman-Turk Empire, which notoriously Destroyed the Historic Arab Civilisation, (and when, inter alia, was also Chassed away, after the 12th Century, the local Jewish Community), until the National Liberation Movements of each Arab Country, inspired by "Laurence of Arabia" Legend with Europe's Help from the Beginning of the 20th Century, resulted in a 1st Attempt for a ReNaissance].
Jaiet also Focused on an impressive Variety of several new Touristic products offered to potential Visitors, particularly by Tunisian Airlines, according to their main Wishes and Interests.

 

 

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The New, 2014-adopted, Constitution of Tunisia, (Result of a Process which had Started from 2011), replaced an Older Text, dated from Back on 1959, (which was the only such Basic Legal instrument all the way round since an Out-Dated, initial couple of Constitutional tools forged a Century Eearlier, between 1857-1861).

But, already, in Ancient Times, Carthage had a well-established Political System, whose organization had been Praised by the World-Famous Greek Philosopher Aristotelis, as a Good "Synthesis" of some among the Best elements of that era.

>>>    Consul General Trabelsi told "Eurofora" that various points as such as we had earlier discussed with President Jafar, (Comp. Supra), had, indeed, been included even at the Final Version of the current Constitution of Tunisia, adopted since 2014, particularly on Territorial DeCentralisation, (where even More Developments, f.ex. on Government's Concertation with Regions, etc., were due "at a Later stage"), but also before certain Decisions at a National level.

    => After a Careful Examination of the Full, Original Text of the Tunisian Constitution, "Eurofora" found, in fact, 3 main Groups of various such concrete cases, concerning : (A) People's Votes, (B) Human Rights, and (C) Good Governance principles :

    (A) "People"'s right to "exert its Sovereignity", not only by the Election of a "Popular Assembly" and/or of "the President of the Republic" with "an Absolute Majority of Votes" (Art. 75), but also through its own, Direct "Legislative Power", "by Referendum", (Art. 3 + 50), as well as via the possibility for any "Candidate" to the "Presidency of the Republic" (Only for "2 Mandates" Maximum) to be, eventualy, "Endorsed by a number of ... registered Voters" (i.e. Simple Citizens), and Not Necessarily only by "MPs" or Mayors, etc. (Art. 74). Thut's the case, f.ex., when the "President" of the Republic "exceptionaly, ...submit(s) to a Referendum the Legislative Bills, which Ratify International Treaties or concern Human Rights and Freedoms, or Personal Status, after they have been Adopted by the Assembly" (Art. 82) ; or according to the "President of the Republic"'s power to "submit a Constitutional Reform, with the Agreement of 2/3 of Assembly's Members, to a Referendum", which decides "with a Majority of Voters" (Art. 144). But also at a Local level, through the "adoption, by Local Authorities, of Tools for a Participatory Democracy, and of the Principles of Open Government, in order to ensurre the Widest Participation of Citizens and of Civil Society, in the Preparation of Development and Spacial Planning projects, and in Monitoring their Implementation", (Art. 139). For such purposes, is organized, at a National Level, the "Election by the Popular Assembly" of "the Members" of an "Independent Constitutional Authority", (who must be "Independent, Neutral, Competent and Honest", serving "for Only 1 Mandate"), with a "Legal Personality", "Financial and Administrative Autonomy", called "Independent Superior Authority on Elections", "in charge for the management of Elections and Referendums, their Organisation and Supervision of their various stages", in order to "Guarantee the Regularity, Integrity and Transparency of the process", (Art. 125-126);

    (B) The inclusion of Human "Dignity" in the official Moto of the Tunisian Republic, (Art. 4); the "State"'s Duty to "Protect the Dignity of the Person" and to "Prohibit Moral and Physical Torture", (a "Crime" which "canNot be Prescribed" :  Art.23), "to Ensure for Young People the necessary conditions for the Development of their Capacities", "and to enlarge et generalize their Participation to the Social, Economic, Cultural and Political Welfare", (Art. 8) ;  as well as its assigned "Aim to make Social Justice real" (Art. 12);  the Exclusion of "Any Discrimination" between Citizens, who are "Equal" (Men and Women : Art. 21); the "Protection of the ...Confidentiality of Correspondences, Communications and Personal Data" (Art. 24), "Any Detainee's Right to a Human Treatment which preserves his Dignity", while "the State must consider the Family's interests and Care for the ReHabilitation of Detainees and their ReInsertion in the Society" (Art. 30); the "Guarantee" of "Liberty of Opinion, ... Information and Publication" withOut Any "prior control", (Art. 31), as well as of "the Right to have Access to Information" and "to Communication Networks" (f.ex. Internet, etc., :  Art. 32); "Academic" and "Scientific Research" "Freedom", as well as the "State"'s duty "to provide the necessary means for the Development of Scientific and Technological Research" (Art. 33); "Womens' Representation in Elected Assemblies" (Art. 34), the recognition of "a Human Right to Health", with the "State"'s obligation to "Guarantee Prevention and Health Care for All Citizens", including "Free Health Care for Persons withOut Help and of Low Resources" (Art. 38), added to the "Public Education" system's duty "to Support and spread ... the openness to Foreign Languages and Human Civilisations", as well as "to Spread Human Rights' Culture" (Art. 39); the establishment of "Every Citizen's (Man of Woman) Right to Work", for the "Guarantee" of which, "the State takes the Necessary Measures, based on Competence and Fairness", while "Each Citizen (Man or Woman) has a Right to Work in Decent Conditions and with a Fair Salary" (Art. 40), added even to the "Right(s) to Water", and "to a Healthy and Balanced Environment" (Art. 44 + 45); the "Guarantee" of "the Right to Culture", with "the State's encouragement for Cultural Creation" and "its Diversity and ReNovation", particularly "concerning the Values of Tolerance and the Rejection of Violence, the Openness to Different Cultures and the Dialogue between Civilisations" (Art. 42); the "Guarantee of the Equality between Woman and Man in the Elected Assemblies", the "Protection of Woman's established Rights" and their "Enhancement", as well as "the Equality of Chances between Women and Men in order to take over the various Responsibilities in All Domains", (Art. 46); "Childrens' Rights", as "Guaratee of the Dignity, Health, Care, Education and Teaching", as well as for the "State's Protection ... according to the Superior Interests of the Child" (Art. 47); the Exclusion of Any eventual Constitutional Amendment which might "Affect the Established Human Rights and Freedoms Guaranteed by this Constitution" (Art. 49); the "Equality vis a vis Justice" and "each Person's Right to a Fair Trial in a Reasonable Time", with a "Public Hearing" (at least for the "Announcement of the Judgement", "in the Name of the People"), as well as "to Lodge a Legal Complaint" and "to Defend" himself, while "Access to Justice" is "Facilitated by the Law", which also "Ensures Judicial Help" for the most Poor People, associated with "Judges"' "Neutrality and Integrity"" as well as "Immunity from Prosecution", together with "Lawyers"' "Freedom and independence", but also "Protection" by the Law, in order to be able to "participate ...in the Defense of (Human) Rights and Freedoms", while "any Interference in the functioning of Justice is Prohibited" (Art. 103 - 105, 108-109 and 111); the "Audio-Visual Communication Authority", "entrusted with the Regulation and Development of the AV Com. Sector", where it "takes Care to Guarantee Freedom of Expression and Information, the Right to Access to Information and the establishment of a Pluralist and Honest Media landscape" (Art. 127); the "Human Rights' Authority", which "takes Care for the Respect and Promotion of Freedoms and Human Rightys", making also "Proposals for the Development of the Human Rights' System", that "Must be Consulted for relevant Legislative Bills", and "Investigates cases of Violations of Human Rights, in order to Settle them, or Submit them to the Competent Authorities" (Art. 128).

    (C) The State's obligation to "Work and Fight against Corruption" (Art. 10); Public "Administration"'s duty "to Serve the Citizen" as well as "the General Interest", and for "its Organisation and Functioning to be subordinated to the Principles of Neutrality, Equality (etc) ... according to the Rules of Transparency, Integrity, ...and Accountability" (Art. 15); Political "Opposition"'s Recognition as "an Essential Component of the (Parliamentary) Assembly", which is Ensured to have "an Adequate Representation in the Structures and Activities" of the Parliament, (where "the attribution of Responsibilities in the Commissions ... is made on the basis of a Proportional representation"), including "the Presidency of the Financial Commission, and the role of Rapporteur in the Foreign Affairs' Commission", as well as "to Chair, each Year, a Commission of Enquiry", that "All (Public) Authorities must Assist in the exercice of its functions", doubled also with "a Duty to actively and Constructively Participate in the Parliament's work", (Art. 59 + 60); the "Authority for Sustainable Development and for the Rights of Future Generations", which "Must be Consulted for Legislative Bills about Trade, Social and Environmental Issues, as well as for Development Plans", and "takes part into (Government) Policies of Good Governance, Prohibition and Fight against Corruption", "ensuring the Monitoring of these Policies' Implementation, the Promotion of Good Governance Culture and of the Fight against Corruption, as well as the Consolidation of the Principles of Transparency, Honnesty and Accountability", "entrusted" also "to Detect the Cases of Corruption", "to Investigate ... and Submit them to the Competent Authorities", (Art. 129-130).

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But : Astonishing "Dillema" with overlaping MACRON's News-Breaking Move,
at the Same Time, Elsewhere in Strasbourg, near "Eurofora"'s Home...

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    Such Tunsia-related issues appeared so Interesting and deserving at least an elementary European Solidarity, that "Eurofora" was practicaly Obliged even to Risk Missing a Unique Chance to participate at a very Topical "Press Point" with the Young French Minister of Economy, Industry and Digital Society, Emmanuel Macron, where we had been Invited, because it had been scheduled, Curiously, at the Same Day and even precise Hour (sic !), as the Annual "EuroFair"'s big Press Conference, but ...at the Other Side of Strasbourg City, far Away from the Palace of Congress !

    Even if it was held, astonishingly, very Near to "Eurofora" co-Founder's Family Home, and was Macron's Last Public Meeting just a few Minutes before he Started to Spark Top Headline News all over Europe and the World, (even at Moscow or New York !), with his (partly Expected) Intention to Resign from the present Government in order to Start Focusing exclusively on the forthcoming, Crucial French Presidential Elections of Spring 2017, where he notoriously intends to be a Candidate, (Comp. 2 "Eurofora" earlier Publications, including with Statements that Macron gave us on various other Topical Issues, f.ex. at : .... + ...) ...

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