Nicolas Sarkozy’s coming to power in France initially raised worries that the country would weaken the strong relationship it had with countries in the MENA region under Jacques Chirac. However, this seems not to be the case, evidenced via the whirlwind tour of the region by the new foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner.
The new French president also found time to contact Tunisia’s president, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, not once but twice while naming his new cabinet and taking over the reins of power.
There had been concerns in some Middle East countries that Sarkozy would prove less sympathetic to Arab nations than his predecessor. Much has been made of his Jewish ancestry — his maternal grandfather was Jewish — and his pro-US stance on a number of issues, which has earned him the nickname of American Sarko among some in the French political left.
However, Tunisia does not seem to share those concerns. Since it is not a frontline state close to Israel, it is able to distance itself somewhat from the day-to-day tensions of that part of the region, and has established sound ties with the United States.
Tunisia stands firm behind Sarkozy
While France ended its rule over Tunisia in 1956, the link between the two countries remains strong. France is Tunisia’s largest trading partner by far, the destination for more than 30% of its exports and the source of a quarter of its imports. Bilateral trade is worth some $6.5 billion annually and is growing. France also accounts for 38% of all foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tunisia.
During his election campaign, Sarkozy floated a proposal that would draw Tunisia, along with the other Mediterranean littoral states, into a loose knit union to boost economic development and security, as well as to restrict illegal immigration. In a speech given in early February, Sarkozy also called for the setting up of a Mediterranean Investment Bank, along the lines of the European Investment Bank, and floated the idea of the union having joint institutions with the EU some time down the track.
Though little comment was made at the time, Sarkozy again referred to the plan in his inauguration address, turning what had been a comment on the hustings into a slightly more solid commitment.
Unlike Turkey, which fears that Sarkozy’s plan for a Mediterranean union may prove another step in his overt opposition to Turkey’s accession to the EU, Tunisia is a strong advocate of the new French president’s proposal. Indeed, Tunisia, together with Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania, first floated such a concept in 2003, during a conference in Tunis attended by representatives of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Malta.
Though little came out of the so- called “5+5 plan,” it has been dusted off and expanded by Sarkozy, who is looking at Tunisia to help in providing a lead.
In a letter congratulating Sarkozy on his electoral victory, President Ben Ali commented on the particular importance the new French head of state gave to the Mediterranean.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate my readiness to endeavor — with you — to make of it an area of peace, co-operation and co-development,” he said.
In response, Sarkozy reconfirmed his commitment to the Mediterranean scheme.
Partners to build Euro-Med union
“I express the wish that our co-operation might develop in all fields of mutual interest,” Sarkozy said. “In this regard, I would like, with the countries concerned, to build up a Mediterranean union, so as to take up together, and with success, the challenges facing us. In this ambitious and very necessary venture, I know that I can rely on your support and determination.”
The Mediterranean union and building on French-Tunisian ties were again highlighted when Sarkozy spoke on the phone with President Ben Ali in May.
According to the official Tunisian press agency, the two gave a commitment to establish a fruitful and effective partnership between both shores of the Mediterranean, so as to boost the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
Unlike some Arab states that are wary of being members of a union that could include Israel and Turkey, Tunisia feels positive towards a potential union and its relations with the EU. It stands firmly behind Sarkozy’s plans to strengthen ties between the states on the two shores of the Mediterranean. As to whether Sarkozy’s plan will gain any traction in Brussels, that is another question.
