President Zhelev represents Europe in Tunisia
24 October 2011 News
“To me you are the most important European now in Tunisia. You represent all of Europe today,” Ambassador of the European Union in Tunis Adrianus Koetsenruijter said during a meeting with President Zhelyu Zhelev.
The two commented that there are many similarities between the democratic changes in Central and Eastern Europe and what is happening in Tunisia. Dr. Zhelev said that there were longstanding good relations between Bulgaria and Tunisia and emphasised the role of countries like Bulgaria in sharing experience in all aspects of life. According to the EU Ambassador, more frequent contacts between politicians of both parties would be of great benefit.
Monitoring election day, President Zhelev visited one of the sections in Tunis, and later shared his impressions with 47 representatives of the National Democratic Institute of USA (NDI), which is monitoring elections across the country.
They include two former presidents - Alejandro Toledo of Peru and Jorge Ramírez of Bolivia, Director of the Institute for Middle East and North Africa Les Campbell and NDI representative in Tunisia Gabriela Borowski.
They all agreed that the Constituent Assembly elections in Tunisia were taking place with an exceptional level of activity, enthusiasm and good organization. Also discussed were developments in Arab countries and the importance to them of the Tunisian example. The three former presidents conveyed a message of democracy and support to the Tunisian people.
Later today and tomorrow, President Zhelev is to participate in a roundtable discussion with representatives of local political parties and NGOs, to meet with Bulgarian community in the Republic of Tunisia, and to hold talks with members of the European Parliament who are monitoring mission in Tunisia at the moment.