EU calls for investment in Tunisia

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini yesterday called for more investment to revive the economy of Tunisia, home country of the Arab Spring, calling it a “strategic priority”.

“Today, I want to convey a very strong and very clear message to all EuropeansTunisia is truly a privileged and special partner,” she said on a visit to Tunis. “Investing in Tunisia, in its present and its future and especially in its young people, is a strategic priority” for the European Union, she said after meeting Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui. Mogherini recalled that EU financial support for the North African country would be 300 million euros in 2017.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed’s government hopes that an investor conference scheduled for later this month will help boost Tunisia’s economy, which has suffered since the fall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011. — AFP

TUNIS: EU’s High representative for foreign affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini (right) walks alongside Tunisian Foreign Affairs Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui yesterday in Tunis. — AFP