 Would you all please with your applause welcome Prime Minister Joma. We're delighted to have you. Thank you Thank you very much Kind For this for giving me the opportunity to meet you and for this kind of invitation I agreed with organizers that I will speak in English. So you will support My English during 15 minutes, but I have I'm allowed to switch in French if needed. That's the rule Okay So I'm happy to be with you. I'm happy to guess this opportunity to share with you about My opinions and about the situation in Tunisia I know that a lot of you are eager to know more about what is happening in Tunisia You know that We we succeeded since two months A little bit more than two months to to end the big political Issues which occur is after the revolution three years ago It starts with the some young people Leader less political leader less it's like a spontaneous movement by the people who were These young people were educated for a part of them unemployed and seeking looking for freedom but looking for Something simple in the life like jobs like education for their sons for their kids and During three years after this revolution after this fact And the the period was it became as political, you know, we did not have opposite many many many opposition Parties and now we should have more than 160 I think that we exceeded the United States and all the North America So if you need we can help you developing that And all of that creates many tensions as well Since the state was shaken Since there was a big expectation and big frustration from many areas and from many people there was it creates and generates some social tensions And all of that, you know, it was not sure that we could and that we would succeed to find the door to a peaceful and And a peaceful conclusion, but when we know the Tunisian history when we know the Tunisian people we know that always they avoided the extreme Solution they avoided the violence that they did they refused it and they rejected and that's what happened we We found the way to conclude that by the dialogue So there was an initiative from the civil society and particularly from what we call the quartet the quartet was Composed by the union labor union Associated with the the employers or let's say the the trades and industry chamber with the lawyer order and the human rights Organization these four organization made the the mediator and with a hard but successful dialogue we succeeded to vote and to adopt the constitution which is a secular constitution Which is a constitution Which guarantees the universal and fundamental rights Freedom like the freedom of conscience Like the freedom of worship So many many secular and many we are really proud of this constitution and I think All of you you know a lot or a part of that so it was really Big successful We spend three years to find that maybe It's so much its lot, but when we know how things are happening everywhere If we study the history or even if we examine the geography today, we know That that's the price to pay and it's a limited price With this dialogue it was an agreement from all the parties as well to To to give And to to compose Composé alors en français pour composé un nouveau gouvernement To constitute took us to set up to set up a new government non political government and since to to two months now with the head of this new government who has to be neutral non non political with the equal distance from each and all the parties and with the mission the first mission is to organize the election to turn the the page of the last step of this transition on Period so to do that It's it's not so easy but I think that We believe that we will succeed in that And the first thing is to offer the right Atmosphere the right climate for and the organization of this election That's we that they have to be Fair and transparent and that's the our first mission for that we have to offer security and you know that the security Was and distills a big issue in our region and for our country for Tunisia as well so we think today that The the scale is coming more from From outside or imported things than local because locally There was really some some issues that with the help of the population To be to be direct with you with with the with the revolution and what with what the revolution all around in Libya and Egypt and and Syria We got some trouble We got some terrorist cells introduced in weapons and All the means to to make some attacks Terrorism was not we are we were we are not used with this phenomena in Tunisia and that's why I think We did not react in the best way by the beginning because we were not trained into that and as well because the the state with the revolution was shaken and a little bit the Disappointed but since that time we organized ourselves and since one year now we have the right organization To to withstand this phenomena and to fight it We have a clear determination that is no place for terrorism or extremism in Tunisia Because we never we never know that and We never choose that and we are organizing ourselves today to improve our our this our organization to be Able to answer even to the random events So that's the first step and we get some progress this last week by fighting them and beating the head the operational head of this organization and We are looking to cooperate and to work with all our friendly countries among them as you can imagine United States Because this phenomena it's no more local it's Regional and more than that sometimes it's universal and to have the right answer we have to To look for a good corporation Exchanging information but as well Experience and we're working together and that's one of the aim of all my visits to all the friendly country Besides the economic and politics is to work on security. It's important to prepare the election in The right way, but it's important for the future of the country. It's important to give To the share the opportunity again to open all the doors for investors. So it's a crucial thing. We are Determined to fight each Phenomenon like terrorism or each thing which is Not the key serve the la du cadre de la loi To secure the war illegal Okay, so that's the first thing the second to offer the right climate for fair Good organization of the election is as well to take care about the economy You know, I I told you that the three last years were difficult. There was a big disputes political disputes you know Our parties were learning as well how to make politics and they made a good learning because They everyone understood in Tunisia that the only way to manage this country is the consensus is the agreement and It was hard learning good learning But it has a price and we discovered that the price today is economical so We have some difficulties We have the main difficulties we have in economy is the the budget deficits we have a big budget deficit since there was a big social pressure and So they tried at that moment which which was difficult moment to manage that by increased salaries by hiring in the Administration, so we have a big salary increase for the state as well that we have a system of subsidize It's okay subsidies. Yeah A system of subsidies To compensate the the energy price and all the elementary food and so on and During these three years The the cost was multiplied by three So you can imagine the weight on the budget. That was a big pressure and no government could move and Launch reforms on that travel time Today we are facing that's so we know that to ensure election today but as well to ensure sustainability durability and Purity for democracy we have as well to offer The the right economic on ground because we don't have to forget that the revolution was made to For job for better life and today we cannot say that three years after that we offered that So I have to pay attention for that the we have In my in the analysis of this government the threat will not be security the threat to and will not be Political it could be economical and social so and we are working hard on that We have two kind of measures that we have to talk Quick measures Because we are we are we are managing the country for till the end of the years and So what we decided is Really to push to quick wins to show to the people that we can realize and even though They were waiting with big promises during three years without having the dividend of the revolution We can together Work and have some dividends as quickly but To solve the problem we have to make reforms and this government is not expected to make reforms He's not the long-term government is a short-term government. The main mission is to prepare the election but Even though we are not expected we have to do that and really we are determined as well to start the reforms and For that we will use the same mean that and the same way to To check issues That with which we we succeeded in the politicals I mean the compromise and the dialogue and that's why for this big reformed We are now involving all the parties. We are over involving all the Organizations like labor union and the trade and the industry Community to For a dialogue for the reforms So we have many things so I I told you about This compensation system that we have to review and they have to review quickly We we have the reform of the banking system because if we want to finance the economy We have to to improve that and you know the banking system in Tunisia during the last years of the previous regime Was not Was not working with the with the rules that we are we are used and you are used here There was some corruption to say things that so we are now making an audit and Lenshing reform and we have to accelerate that's we have as well and we decided Not to hire anymore in the public Public administration Which was not the expectation of the people who were using these last three years To wait for a chance to be hired in the administration because we don't believe that's that it's the best way we we know That and we want to push their productive jobs And so that's why we will push as well and encourage all the private initiatives By making putting in place some mechanisms to help Even for individual entrepreneurship So that's the major things that we have to do. It's I think that We will not Get a lot of time to rest but be sure that we are determined to do that and that Will be made mainly by by the people by the Tunisian people There is two things which are important as well in this period and personally I am really Convinced that we have to focus on that The first is to restore the authority of the state because you know the revolution Made some decades. It's which is normal, but it's time if we want to build as something The Digiability I mean another durability the system says sustainable we have the the chance of Tunisia that it's a State which was built with institution big institution and that's why we resisted to the revolution without any collapse Because we built a state with institution and now we have to restore that with the cover of the new laws and the cover of This constitution this new constitution, but we have to do that. That's a key Factor and the second is really to motivate people to work harder because we know when you have a crisis Like we have we have to make some sacrifices and we have to work harder It happens always like that all the all the lessons learned from the nice experience all through the world Asia or any anywhere It's necessary to do that, but it's not enough. We need as well to cooperate and to We need the support of all our partners and mainly in this difficult period and Particularly from the United States, you know, we have Jeep and historical Relationship with the United States. I think that the first relations ship was in the end of It's around 1770 1780 1795. Yeah so more than two centuries of Relationship and we were one of the first country recognizing United States and United States Where one of the first country recognizing the independence of Tunisia. So it's a long long long long time relationship and We we look today for work to strengthen this relationship We have An agreement we made an agreement in 2002 of trade the Tifa the Tifa and I I would like to say that we are really Working and pushing to to have a free trade agreement What we what we are looking to do is to push and to elevate our Relationship with the United States like the ones we have with Europe. You know that Europe today is our first partnership we are making 80% of our trade with with Europe so well We are well-trained to work with the Western people and I think that it's time now to push our Relationship and that's any how our wish and we will work hard to get that to push our relationship to the best position with the United States on all the the sectors mean Economy, but I am here with the delegation to speak about new technology to speak about education to speak about security and I would like to get the support of all the people here in right sense And I know in this room that we have many ambassadors. So please Work hard as we have to do the government to push all of this idea and to get step-by-step the relationship that we are Looking for with the United States. So I will not Say more for the moment and even though I did not cover all All the things that you are expecting I prefer to Discuss with you in an open way. So please I'm at your disposal for all your questions Mr. Prime Minister, thank you very much for that Presentation I'm John Alterman. I direct the Middle East program here. I'm also the virgin ski chair in global security and geo strategy We are Delighted to have you here. We're delighted to have you here at this moment We're gonna open up the floor to questions. I would ask three rules one that you identify yourself Second that you only ask one question so that everybody has a chance and third that you ask your question the form of a question Which is to have an actual question and not a statement and then saying what do you think of my statement to demonstrate? Perhaps I'll ask a question. I'm John Alterman. I run the Middle East program. I would try to make it work No, are we good? Are we good now? One moment We're experiencing operating difficulties. Please stand by is that better? It goes the other way. Yes Okay, perfect, okay You have been on an incredible journey in Tunisia over the last three years you've seen tremendous change and an unpredictable change in many ways As you talked to people in Washington, what do you wish people in Washington knew About the changing politics in the Middle East that you know because you've lived through the last years in Tunisia But Americans don't know I think That is I think what it's important to know Is that area is moving we are looking since a couple of years now to With the new generation which is connected and open to the world they are looking for some changes and a progress and trending to to have more freedom and As well to have a better a better life and what is happening today that we discover after this Romantic starting you know and we call that the spring because It's more than a spring. It was seen and they've had less like a romantic history we discover that it's not so easy and There is in all the region now the situation is is hard In Tunisia, I think this experience is turning in the right way today after three years and What I want to say is it is important for us to succeed, but I think it's important for the area If the experience in Tunisia did not succeed, I don't know what we can offer as perspectives To the people all around to these young young people We started the changes We started the revolution But we would like as well now to start the process to converge there to a democracy To more freedom, but as well to more development for the people in the area giving hope and Restoring hope for the young people. So it's important as a Tunisian for me to succeed But I know that for all of us It's important if we want to secure this area if we want to avoid the big troubles and when we speak about troubles now it's serious problem of security and You know, we experimented that in other areas Now the problem of terrorism and security is not local. It became us immediately regional and universal so It has a big meaning to succeed in Tunisia for the whole region So that's the first thing that I would like to explain the second is The expectation of people is not ideology and I'm speaking mainly about the people We tried we tried many things maybe the disputes and it was normally it's like a debate But you see when we voted the The the constitution it was voted by 92 or 93 percent. It was not No religion no ideology inside. It was a secular Constitution because that's the right aspiration of all the people and we still believe maybe it's different in other countries But the trend should be that one so it's important now to make this experience succeeding and To to to get it succeed The key is economical Thank you very much. My name is Josh Rogan. I'm a reporter with the Daily Beast here in Washington My question is over the past three years During your country's transition has the US government and the above administration done enough to support your country's Transition if so, what would you say are the three top examples of that? And if not, what more can be done from Washington at this point? Thank you No, I'm in English You know when you say that that I have to thank The government of Obama for all the support they gave me because it's true But as I have many problems and to check in a quick time, I will say it's not enough for me It's a lot from the US government and really we have a good support and good collaboration But we are seeking and looking for more support and that's why I am here because we know that We can expect that from the US government and you are a part of this of this country and I feel that you are ready to give this report so Which kind of support I think we are you know that we will start a strategic Dialogue that includes all the aspect of the collaboration. So we are speaking about More economical collaboration. We are speaking about security, but we are speaking about technology employment Training so it's it's a large collaboration But they should be honest now. We have to thank the US government for all the support political support And many kind of support and even in the security support that was some some hard time This last three years. It was not always linear But with regard to the deepness of the depth of our relationship We can look forward More support and more collaboration And I think in the meantime That Tunisia could be an opportunity as well for the United States when you see the location of the Tunisia We are in intersection of three big areas. We have Europe. We have the Arab or Middle East Middle East area and the Africa and we know that African Middle East. It's a potential economically economic potential Tunisia it's one maybe maybe of the best area with the resources We have with the link and the bridges that we create with these three different area could be the right hub to develop Interest in this area. We have educated people the level of the educated We are at the standard of the European standard and you have people speaking English we have people speaking French German Italian Arabic and We do believe in that and one of the big trend that we want to give to Tunisia is to to give our country this position a hub or platform to develop To develop our relationship with the United States and it's not a speech. Believe me. I I spend a large part of my life traveling to US Europe and and this area if we organize ourself if we believe on that We have the mean we have the right resources to do that and I will work as well with our Colleagues and our friends in US to develop the learning of English. I think it's important for us Because The economy in Tunisia since we have high educated people a lot of high educated people one of the Orientation that we could we have to to to give is all the services ITC Tourism but the some industries and for that we have to export to larger and To import from larger market and larger area today. The English is mandatory to develop Indonesia it does not mean that we will leave the French or the Arabic. No, we have to enlarge to To to to make it richer. So there is a lot to do We want to check the immediate problems but we want through this dialogue really to make a projection for the future and We have all The fundamental key factors to succeed and to be a platform and an opportunity for us But us is a big opportunity for us as well. Thank you a question over here in the back. Yeah Bill Taylor with the United States Institute of Peace This Prime Minister you mentioned Your success in Tunisia's success in this national dialogue run by civil society We all recognize that Tunisia is the leading Candidate for success overall for the Arab Spring and for for that region democracy in and in the Arab world We would like to figure out if there is something about this national dialogue that that Tunisians undertook Run by the civil society the quartet that you mentioned that is applicable to other countries So my question would be What was it about Tunisia that allowed that that national dialogue to succeed? Thank you so I Will answer maybe the last question The specificity of Tunisia that Why we succeeded to to find that because it was always through the history of Tunisia the way is Tunisian is moderates and even though when we had such Events in our history You know, I will say it in a simple words it's boring for Tunisian to make revolution for a long time He needs He needs when it's summer. He needs to go to the beach He needs to go to go to a terrace of cafe and believe me. It's like that. I am Tunisian and they know so To say that it's in the constitution of the Tunisian To be moderate and to take time to take advantage from the life so with They spent three years three years doing that so it was a lot So that's in the behavior of Tunisian But I think it was possible because we have this civil society Existing we have we have this organization the union. It's a historical historical organization and through the history of Tunisia each time we got a big travel they played a role We have as well this organization of Of Trade and the industry organization which we which is historical and which played as well a role through the history We have this tradition of human rights organization even when there was the dictator they were existing They were suffering but existing and they were really in the resistance. So we have this institution We have this organization and we have a state Really what saves Tunisia from big troubles is the state Just after and we have a tradition. I will remind you something the first The first Manifest Manifest the constitution chart the first constitutional chart was made in 18 40 50 56 or something like that So we have a tradition. It's not new for us. We could forget it for a short time But we have that in our history in our tradition and you know as well that the the slavery The abolition of abolition slavery it was in 1846. So we have many many things like that which help us and We have roots and we know that We have like a spring gun we cannot Go so far. We are appealed to go back to the right and to the middle position as well just after the independence Many choose where was were taken like the quality between woman and men and And The the big investment in Since the first year of the indivisible the big investment in education and in the institution of the state so Even during the revolution our institutions Still working So all of that helped Really to find the way Is it The same or I think that each country has its specificities But I think that it should have an influence and we know from Neighbors that they are really looking looking with big interest to that I'm not sure that they will do it in the same way But it gave the example that the only way to solve such issue is the dialogue and we know it's you know In Lebanon they spent 17 years They tried everything But the only thing that work is it was the dialogue to solve the problem So I think it will have an influence and we would like to serve an example But I remind that we we are not looking to export anything The only thing that we want to export is our products our knowledge and our service That's a date and wine advertisement So I have a question here and then have some over here Steve McInerney with the project on Middle East democracy You mentioned that your government in Tunisia your caretaker government that you're now leading is not expected to undertake reforms But that despite that you will undertake reforms and it's very important Could you say a little bit more about? Which priorities in terms of reform your caretaker government will focus on there are lots of reforms needed in Tunisia You mentioned some economic reform in addition. It's important to see Serious reform of the security sector not only building its capacity, but also serious reform of that sector also the judiciary If you could say a little bit more About what priorities your government will have during this period in terms of reform and also which kinds of reform Do you see the international community outside actors including the United States being able to play a constructive role in supporting and Enabling you to take these important steps. I think you asked a lot of questions If you want me to answer that I will switch in fresh you have the choice We paid for the translator Okay, you paid you paid him. Oh, you have to negotiate The price I will continue in English to allow you to negotiate a good price Great business opportunities No, I think To explain more said I said we were not expected to made reform but we have to do So I did not say we will not do we have to do Yeah, I was I was not expected because it's a short time So the reforms I told you the subsidize To stop hiring in the administration As well the banking system we have to reform it the fiscality because one of the problems that we get after the After the after the revolution is the increase of trafficking Okay Trafficking so we have to reduce that it's a Nonformal sector which is creating we have to to control our border for security but as well for Economy, so that's four or five major things that we have to start today and As well we have to simplify things for investors Tunisia. It's an open land for investments And the european know that very very well and even during these three travel Travelling years they still and they continue to invest in Tunisia because we know that we have really It's easier than anywhere and I explained to you that the position of the Tunisia and the resources the skilled resources and competitiveness Allows and attracts a lot investors But now we want to diversify and to open Tunisia to more investors That's one of the reason the reason of my travel to the Gulf area is to attract and to encourage and to market The the possibilities of of Tunisia as well one of the aim of my travel here. We will meet on my companion With with business women and men And I will have the opportunity and the pleasure to meet Investors so for that we have to adapt ourselves to the different mind and the different way to make business and The main thing that we have to push in this frame time is to simplify again again more and more the administration Approaches for example, we are looking to set up a one-stop shop without Bigger you have bigger bigger the administration is and stronger is More laws they put because in their mind they want to control and make things succeed but for the business and for the investors its constraints and when When we if we can succeed to to set up a company and to start working in one day It's important for us. It's not the same approach for the administration. So we have to push to Through or through that that that direction. So that's the main future make It easier for a new investor who does not know the country to to to get and to create and to invest and Check these four big points which are Be linked to the state and all what we do it will push to more private initiative to more private activities and to restrict the role of the state in these new developments to the big projects like infrastructure And even for infrastructure we will push for a private public Partnership here 3p Mr.. Prime Minister we have two questions two minutes So where can I encourage you ask 30 second questions and he gets a minute and then yeah, mr. Prime Minister Capil Intel I set up shop two and a half years ago in Tunisia because I see Tunisia is the best growth market probably the best growth market in the World you have these small American investors like Honeywell general electric FedEx possibly and other people your center of renewables you have liberty and algea you have oil and gas and a dark OMV and I On your trip you're going to the Chamber of Commerce later You have the president do you expect that will you be announcing deals at this point on your trip? And which deals you expect to announce? I mean Tunisia is doing very well You have you know near Italy and all that on private sector That's one question the second question right here sir Thank you one of the main I'm sorry, I'm Dan O'Flaherty at the National Foreign Trade Council one of the key decisions the constituent assembly had to make was Whether Tunisia would have a parliamentary system or a presidential system you seem to have come out with something resembling the Fifth Republic Is that is that and how how would you describe the division of power in the new constitution between the president and the Prime Minister? Okay, I will start to answer your question. It's easier First I think you you visited Tunisia since two years and a half. It's a lot. You have to come back You are invited. I think if you want to if you want me to make announcement you have We have to develop together. No, I will not make any announcement I have a business background and I I have a rule I did not announce something which is not already done So we maybe I know with the press who are with me They will get some frustration, but it's a training It's long. It's not a long period it will change after but you have to prepare yourself to that. I was in the Gulf Countries and everyone was expecting for big announcement. I did not do I'm sorry, but it's my way to do so for the for the kind of the share of For the the different Yeah, the kind of the regime that that we have the organization that we have It was more a parliamentary but with more balanced Share With the presidents then what it's done now in this transitional period So though there was a long debate that's why they took longer time that expected There is many arguments For myself. I don't have to express any opinion because it's voted is in the Constitutions and I will just apply I want to thank you all for coming. Please join me in thanking Prime Minister. I forget something She Okay, please join me in thanking Prime Minister Matthew German No, I know I know I know I know what he's meaning. I can't guess just one minute, please I can't guess what he's meaning. No, okay. No, I did not know because we discussed a lot and he knows that I prefer instead of speaking about spring Arab Time or countries When I speak about Tunisia, I prefer to express it differently for me Tunisia is a democracy start-up and Like any start-up You have to believe in it. You have to risk but you have to take the risk But you have to invest and I think it's the best moment to Invest in this democracy start-up So all of you are invited to invest in that to help this start-up And I'm sure that the growth of this start-up will be quick and big and all of us will take the dividend from this So, thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you