THOUGHTS ON EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP PROBLEMS

Abstract

I first have to mention some basic facts : geographical, historical, demographic and environmental consıderatıons. Tunisia is situated in North Africa, at the junction between the East and West Mediterranean sea, just across the water from Sicily, which means close proximity to Europe, with whose history it has always been involved. From Carthage and Hannibal to the present time, the Euro-Mediterranean connection is one of the most striking aspects of Tunisian political life, its observer at the Helsinki Conference in 1975 insisting on the interconnection between Tunisia and Europe. Security does not mean military matters only, but also economic and cultural ones. The Barcelona Declaration of 25 November 1995 mentioned three aspects necessary to achieve a community of interests, assuring peace and stability for the peoples of the region. The participation of Tunisia in the elaboration of this famous declaration and its support for it raised big hopes for its achievement.