EU’s Ashton praises “historic” Tunisian elections

Brussels, Asharq Al-Awsat- EU Foreign Policy Coordinator Catherine Ashton said the elections that were held in Tunisia are “historic”, Usher in a new era in the country, and took place in a climate of freedom. She added: “Citizens flocked to the ballot boxes to decide their future in a peaceful manner. The elections were the first opportunity for the citizen to make a choice freely and in a democratic way.”

The European official congratulated the Tunisian people and praised their “peaceful struggle to secure their rights and achieve their aspirations.”

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, conducted in her office in Brussels hours before the announcement of the official results of the elections in Tunisia, Ashton said: “In the beginning, I would like to wish success for the Tunisian people. I say that it was an extremely important thing for the Tunisian citizen to go to the ballot boxes to elect his future leaders.” She added: “I say to all political leaders I wish them success regardless of whether they win or not because, in the end, the success will be for this great country and its future.”

In reply to a question as to whether there is a clear European strategy for cooperation and work with the new Tunisia in the future, Ashton said: “I visited Tunisia before and met with the prime minister, foreign minister, other political figures, civil society activists, and businessmen. In fact, I noticed that all parties have a desire to build new democracy and economy. We informed them of our stand and said we will always stand by the Tunisian people and help build democracy, a civil society, and economy.”

Asked on the former regime’s assets and funds that have been frozen in Europe and on cases against [former Tunisian President] Ben Ali before the Tunisian judiciary, Ashton said: “we have a clear stand on justice. We want justice to be achieved. For example, we are working to return the frozen assets and funds abroad to the Tunisian people. We are cooperating with Switzerland in this respect.”

She added: “During our recent meetings in Tunisia, Switzerland participated in the discussion of this issue at the highest level. A European team is in Brussels and another team in Tunis to help resolve this issue. We say the EU is ready to return the frozen assets and funds to the Tunisian people.”

With regard to Libya, Asharq Al-Awsat asked the European minister a question on the post-Gaddafi stage and what the EU can do for the new Libya. She replied: “It is important for us to close the chapter of the past and the previous era. An opportunity exists now to unite and build a civil society the way they desire.”

She added: “I previously met with many Libyans and the transitional council members in Benghazi, here in Brussels, and in other places and became certain that they have a desire to build new democracy and economy, a strong economy as it was before. The civil society should play an effective role. We asserted to them our desire to cooperate with them in different ways to support them in various spheres.”

Our last question to Ashton was on Egypt where elections are due to be held in a few weeks’ time and on the EU’s expectations. She replied: “What we wish for the Egyptian people is what we wish for the Libyan and Tunisian peoples. The Egyptians must insist on the option of democracy.”

She added: “The elections will serve as an opportunity to elect a new leadership, build a future, and achieve the ambitions that they asserted at the Al-Tahrir Square where they expressed their desire for freedom, respect of human rights, change, building institutions, and achieving democracy. However, these goals will not be achieved in one Election Day. They will be realized in all future elections.”