About: Tunisia
Tunisia’s democracy faces ‘grave’ threat amid coup claims
Tunisia’s democracy faces its ‘gravest’ threat in the decade since the Arab Spring, opposition and civil society leaders in the country have warned, while the president set out plans to rule by decree and amend the constitution.
We need more EU support for our democracy, Tunisia’s opposition says
Tunisia’s democrats need more support from the EU and European nations as the north African country faces up to months of government by presidential decree, said Ahmed Gaaloul, an Ennahdha party official and a former youth and sports minister.
Borrell: EU should prepare for the next crises – Iraq, Sahel
The fall of Kabul to the Taliban and the chaotic international evacuation effort shows that Europe needs to develop its own military capacity independent of the United States, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell argues.
Tunisia president sacks defence minister amid political turmoil
Tunisian President Kais Saied sacked the defence minister Monday (26 July), a day after ousting the prime minister and suspending parliament, plunging the young democracy into constitutional crisis in the midst of a pandemic.
EU calls on Lebanon to form government quickly
The European Union on Monday (26 July) urged Lebanon's political elite to form a government without delay, following the nomination of Lebanese businessman Najib Mikati to be designated as prime minister.
Tunisian democracy in crisis after president ousts government
Tunisia faced its biggest crisis in a decade of democracy after President Kais Saied ousted the government and froze the activities of parliament, a move his foes labelled a coup that should be opposed on the street.
At least 39 migrants drown off Tunisia as two boats capsize
At least 39 migrants drowned off Tunisia when two boats capsized on Tuesday (9 March), the defence ministry said, as numbers risking the dangerous crossing to Europe continue to rise.
Migrant crossings down 13% in 2020 due to Covid
The number of illegal border crossings into the European Union fell by 13% to around 124,000 last year, the EU's border agency said Friday (8 January).
Tunisia pushes for UN monitors for Libya’s frail ceasefire
Tunisia, the current president of the UN Security Council, called Monday (4 January) for a resolution sending international monitors to support Libya's brittle ceasefire to be adopted as soon as possible.
Keeping the light bright in Tunisia ten years after the Arab Spring
Ten years ago, anti-government protests began in Tunisia, leading up to the toppling of the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali regime in January 2011, the country's transition to democracy, and the start of the Arab Spring that saw the ousting of autocratic rulers across the Maghreb.
Italy wants no more illegal migrants, minister tells Tunisia
Italy has no more room for illegal migrants, its foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said Monday (17 August) on a visit to Tunisia, from where many of them cross the Mediterranean Sea.
Tunisia denies joining a Turkey-led alliance in Libyan crisis
The Tunisian Presidency has denied claims that the country would join an alliance with Turkey and Algeria in light of the ongoing crisis in Libya and insisted it wanted to preserve its neutral status, without taking part in any coalitions.
Ennahdha politician: Tunisia deserves enhanced neighbourly relations with the EU
The EU needs to adapt its approach vis-à-vis the different partner countries in the Mediterranean, and pay more attention to his country, which he described as a “success story”, a Tunisian politician visiting Brussels told EURACTIV.
‘Disembarkation platforms’ outside EU considered to end migrant row
The EU is considering setting up "disembarkation platforms" outside the bloc to process migrants, according to draft summit conclusions seen Tuesday (19 June) by AFP, as Brussels tries to solve a political crisis over immigration.
After Turkish anger, Macron plays down Syria warning
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday (1 January) played down cautionary remarks he had made about Turkey's operation against Kurdish militants in northern Syria after Ankara labelled them as insults.
EU socialists make ‘progressive’ push in Tunisia ahead of election
The European Parliament's Socialists and Democrats (S&D Group) is exploring ways to bring progressive centre-left forces in Tunisia into the fold in order to ensure a democratic transition ahead of the country's first post-revolution municipality election.
Desert solar project could power 5 million EU homes
A consortium of clean energy developers has applied for permission to build a gigantic solar power plant on the edge of the Sahara desert, which will be linked to Europe by a number of undersea cables and could power over 5 million homes.
EU lauds new Tunisian law on gender-based violence
The European Union has praised a new and “ambitious” law against gender-based violence in Tunisia, which is a “crucial step towards absolute respect for human rights and equal opportunities”. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Auditors find ‘shortcomings’ in EU aid to Tunisia after Arab Spring
The EU gave Tunisia some €1.3bn in aid after the Arab Spring without properly checking how all of it was spent, according to a report published today (28 March) by the Court of Auditors.
Austria and Germany call on EU to close ranks
A meeting between the Austrian and German foreign ministers in Vienna yesterday (27 February) revealed where the two countries are aligned and where they aren’t on the same page. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU considers increased support to help Libya tackle people smugglers
The EU could soon step up training and equipping Libya's coast guard to crack down on migrant smuggling in the North African nation's waters, according to an EU proposal seen by AFP on Saturday (21 January).
Italy aims to combat radicalisation in jails, deport more illegal migrants
Italy's government said yesterday (5 January) it would try harder to combat Islamist radicalisation in its prisons and on the internet as it defended plans to build more detention centres for migrants who have no right to stay in the country.
Tunisia wins billion-dollar pledges for ailing economy
Tunisia won pledges of billions of dollars in support on Tuesday (29 November) at an investment conference aimed at reviving the country's economy following its Arab Spring revolution.