I have a particularly compassionate thought for families who have lost their loved ones. May they continue to believe, as the whole of humanity, that Tunisia is a beautiful country that should continue to be visited and that its people is deeply attached to the values of peace, religious tolerance and friendship among all the peoples.
Shocked by this deadly attack, thousands of Tunisian citizens flocked to the streets to express their outrage and indignation. The President of the Republic of Tunisia Mr. Beji Caid Essebsi vowed to wage a war against terrorism insisting that and I quote him ‘’these savage minorities do not frighten us. We will fight them without mercy to our last breath”.
Next Sunday, The Tunisian President will lead a big march against terrorism in the capital city Tunis. He invited many world leaders to take part in this important march which will reflect Tunisia’s strong condemnation and rejection of terrorism. This march is also meant to symbolize the unity and solidarity of the international community in confronting and eradicating the scourge of terrorism as well as its strong determination to protect and preserve the fundamentals of human civilization, culture and democracy. Some heads of State and many world leaders have already confirmed their participation in this march and I express the hope that South Africa and other African countries will join in.
Your Excellencies
Ladies and gentlemen,
The attack against Le Bardo Museum shouldn’t lead us to forget that Tunisia has undergone a historic transition to democracy. Tunisia ratified a very progressive constitution which enshrines freedom of belief and conscience and guarantees equality for men and women before the law. The Tunisian people voted in free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections. They inaugurated their first democratically elected president and formed a government based on consensus where women will continue to play an important role. And that’s precisely why Tunisia was targeted.
Yes, the Tunisian tree was shaken but is still standing tall. The Tunisian people are determined to show clearly and resolutely that their newly built democracy will not wither in the face of cowardly violence. Tunisia possesses indeed enormous assets that make a brighter future possible: A broad, inclusive coalition government, a vibrant civil society where women play a prominent role, tolerance and moderation, a strategic location, culture and the country’s natural beauty which makes Tunisia a good destination for tourists (despite the recent attack).
Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
In respect of the Tunisia-South Africa bilateral relations, we look forward to continue working towards its consistent expansion in the various fields. We will also work towards the convening of the 6th session of our joint bilateral commission scheduled to take place in 2015. The South African side is invited to propose a date for the convening of the JBC which will provide an excellent opportunity to sign many finalized draft agreements in the fields of health, tourism, ICT and economic cooperation.
The excellent cooperation in the field of health in the framework of which 85 Tunisian doctors are working side with their South-African colleagues is but a sample of what can be accomplished in many other fields especially in higher education and scientific research, information and communication technologies, agriculture, tourism, arts and culture.
It is also our firm belief that Tunisia and South Africa can combine their respective experiences and expertise to form a strategic partnership with the noble scope of serving our beloved African continent. We look forward to the successful convening of the AU Summit to be held in Johannesburg next June. We also express our support to the role South Africa is playing as Chairman of the Group of 77 and China.
In the end, I would like to express my confidence that thanks to our common will, our excellent bilateral relations will continue to expand for the mutual benefit and prosperity of two brotherly countries.