US EditionDiplomatic Tensions Rise Between Tunisia and the European Union
Tunisian President Kais Saied protested an EU envoy's meetings with Nobel Peace Prize-winning unions amid ongoing tensions over civil society restrictions and political crisis.
- On Wednesday, Tunisian President Kais Saied summoned EU ambassador Giuseppe Perrone to convey a strongly worded protest over a perceived diplomatic breach, Tunisia's presidency said.
- In recent weeks, Saied's government has launched a crackdown suspending Democratic Women, Nawaat Journalists, Economic and Social Forum, while Amnesty International reports targeting 14 NGOs.
- On Monday, EU ambassador Giuseppe Perrone met UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi, praising the union's Nobel-linked role, while last week he met UTICA leader Samir Majoul to discuss economic challenges.
- European Commission spokesperson Anouar el-Anouni said Wednesday the EU takes note of Saied's messages and that diplomats normally engage with civil society, marking continued friction with Tunisia's leadership since 2021.
- This month the union threatened a nationwide strike "in defence of trade union rights," and the UGTT, with its one million members, voices complaints amid growing protests by doctors, activists and regular citizens.
28 Articles
28 Articles
On Tuesday 25 November, Tunisian President Kais Saïed summoned the European Union ambassador for a consultation at the Palace of Carthage, accusing him of "non-compliance with diplomatic labour rules". The diplomatic incident follows a meeting, Monday 24 November, between Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone and the Secretary General of the UGTT trade union centre, Noureddine Taboubi, in a context in which Tunis has broken the social dialogue with the pl…
Tunisia summons EU ambassador after meeting with UGTT leader
Tunisia's President Kais Saied summoned the European Union's ambassador Wednesday to protest the "failure to respect diplomatic rules", according to a brief statement from the presidency that provided no details on the alleged breach in protocol. Saied went on to slam the envoy over "the use of practices outside of official frameworks recognised by diplomatic customs". The statement comes after EU ambassador to Tunisia Giuseppe Perrone met with …
Tunisia summons EU ambassador to protest union meeting
Tunisian President Kais Saied summoned the EU ambassador to protest what he called a diplomatic breach after the EU official met the head of a powerful union this week, amid rising tensions with the country’s largest civil-society group.
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