Day: April 18, 2023

The European Union Tuesday said that it is “following with great concern” the latest developments in Tunisia.

EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Nabila Massrali, in a statement, that the EU expressed concern in particular on the arrest last night of Rashid Ghannouchi as well as the information concerning the closure of the headquarters of the Ennahda party in Tunis.

“This arrest adds to the series of ongoing detentions of political actors from different opposition groups,” she said.

“While awaiting official information on the reasons for this arrest, we recall the importance of respecting the rights of the defense as well as the right to a fair trial,” said Massrali.

The EU statement also underlined the fundamental principle of political pluralism and stressed that these elements are essential for any democracy and form the basis of the European Union’s partnership with Tunisia.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

European Union High Representative Josep Borrell Tuesday stressed that although the EU and China are in rival mode the EU needs to keep talking to China.

“We cannot speak with one voice as there are multiple voices within the EU, but at least we need to be on the same wavelength, “he told the European Parliament in Strasbourg during a debate on China.

Recalling that EU relations with China have worsened recently due to EU sanctions and Chinese military exercises in the Strait of Taiwan, he said that due to its massive influence in the world, “we cannot stop talking to it because it is not a democracy.” “China is not Russia; it is a superpower that is growing, especially in the global south. When it comes to China, there are four areas of particular interest: EU values, economic security, Taiwan and Ukraine,” he concluded.

On her part, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaking at the same debate said that China’s rise as an international political and economic actor, as well as the EU’s own interests, make it all the more important for Europe to manage its relationship with Beijing.

Europe must carve out its own, distinct approach that leaves space for cooperation with other partners too, she said. “And the starting point for this is the need to have a shared and very clear-eyed picture of the risks and the opportunities in our engagement with China,” she added.

Members of the European Parliament during their intervention were united in their call for an effective, consistent and unified EU strategy on China.

Some MEPs criticized the recent statement by French President Macron on Taiwan, deeming it naive to say Taiwan does not concern Europe.

They also pointed out that the delivery of arms to Russia and changing the status quo on Taiwan are not acceptable for the EU, said an EP press release.

Source: Kuwait News Agency