French President Emmanuel Macron announced Saturday an economic aid package to Tunisia valued at 200 million euros to alleviate the economic crisis plaguing the country, aggravated by the war in Ukraine.
Macron made this announcement during the Francophonie Summit being held on the Tunisian island of Djerba and chaired by Tunisia’s controversial President Kais Saied.
«The President of the Republic reiterated France’s support for Tunisia and the Tunisian people in the face of the challenges facing the country,» according to an Elysée press release. The French head of state also hailed the «open and constructive dialogue between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), hoping it will lead to a final agreement.»
The agreement was signed by the Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Saied, and the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna.
The funds will be used to shore up state budgets and implement important reforms, the Tunisian Ministry of Economy stressed in a statement.
Saied mentioned in particular the «improvement of the management of public projects and the business climate» and stressed the common commitment to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the common interest of the two countries.
The agreement will allow Tunisia to continue to develop its reform programs, «which will help the country to regain its balance, regain growth and initiate a sustainable economic dynamic».
Colonna, for his part, recalled the strong bilateral relations between France and Tunisia and stressed the importance of the reform program that will help Tunisia overcome economic and social difficulties.
Since the 2011 revolution, Tunisia has plunged into economic difficulties, aggravated by the pandemic. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accentuated the crisis in a country dependent on cereal and fuel imports, two sectors where prices have soared.
However, Macron also discussed with his Tunisian counterpart the political situation in Tunisia. The French president reminded him that «fundamental freedoms» were «intrinsic» to the «democratic acquis» in Tunisia at a time when NGOs denounce a democratic decline in the country.
Saied is in the crosshairs of activists and opponents after arrogating to himself in July last year the powers of Parliament to end up monopolizing in his figure all the powers of the state and has enacted a voting system that has considerably reduced the role of political parties that will participate in the legislative elections of December 17.
