After his visit to Libya, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek arrived yesterday in Tunisia. This morning he met with the Prime Minister, Governor of the Central Bank of Tunisia, and representatives of the Independent Electoral Commission. Following his meetings with the leaders of the main political parties, which will form the Constitutional Assembly, he made the following statement:

"I am very glad to be in Tunis again. I came here in March at the beginning of the transition. I return to a young and striving democracy.

I congratulate Tunisia for the first free elections in your country. All 14 observers from the EP agree that these elections were truly pluralistic, free and fair. I put full trust in the democratic sense of the winners and I wish the majority and the minority will debate with each other in a constructive manner.

I firmly believe that politics and religion are two autonomous spheres. Islam and democracy are not incompatible. Just like the Christian democrats in Europe, there can be Muslim democrats in Tunisia as values such as tolerance, inclusion, solidarity and mutual respect are not only compatible, but also conducive to a stable democracy.

You have started the Arab Spring. Now you are reaping in the harvest. Tunisia can serve as a model for the rest of the region. I wish that all Tunisians will fully enjoy the fruits of their revolution: human dignity, freedom, social justice, democracy, and the rule of law.

The EP has always supported the democratic forces of Tunisia, even before the revolution. This week, the EP dedicated its 2011 Sakharov Prize for the Freedom of Thought to the Arab Spring. One of the five honoured persons is Mohamed Bouazizi from Sidi Bouzid.

Europe now needs to help Tunisia redress itself economically by opening its markets, sharing expertise, provide for visa facilitation schemes and foreign direct investment. Today's Tunisia is also a safe country, which should return as soon as possible on tourist destination's routes.

I know from my own experience in Poland that the road of transition is still long. Freedom and democracy are not easy. Much has to be done - from the drafting of a new and inclusive constitution to the strengthening of the judiciary and the rule of law.

The EU will fully support the Tunisian people in coping with the challenges they face. We are ready to offer Tunisia a privileged partnership, based on common values and shared growth."

Note to editors:

TV footage of the visit of the President will be available in broadcast and web quality on Europe by Satellite at the following link:

http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/ebs/schedule.cfm?sitelang=en&page=1&institution=0&date=10/31/2011

Photos will be available for download at the following link:

http://audiovisual.europarl.europa.eu/

• Robert A. Golański

  Spokesman

  Mobile: +32 475 751 663

• Friedrich Bokern

  Press Officer

  Mobile: +32 498 981 348