 Good afternoon and welcome to the U.S. Institute of Peace on what I hope will be the last snowy day in the winter season in Washington Thanks to all of you who meet it here today My name is Mike Yaffe. I am the vice president of the Institute's Center on Middle East and Africa And I have the honor to be joined today by the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamayas Jinawi as well as Tunisian ambassador Faisal Goya and Friends and colleagues from throughout the United States and partner organizations in DC and throughout the globe I would like to thank particularly our friends from the Tunisian Embassy for partnership Partnering with us today in organizing this important event U.S. Institute of Peace was founded in 1984 as an independent national Institute dedicated to the proposition That peace is possible peace is practical and peace is essential for the United States and for global security We pursue this vision of a world without violent conflict by working with partners on the ground in local areas And we provide people organizations and governments with the tools knowledge and training to manage conflicts So it does they don't become violent and when they do to help resolve them Today's discussion will highlight the crucial role Tunisia plays in developing inclusive democracies countering violent extremism and Building peace in a region facing instability uncertainty and violence We will explore how the u.s. Can continue to develop a strong partnership with Tunisia in Supporting u.s. National Security and foreign policy interests in Pursuing our vision of the world without violent conflict USIP has worked closely with Tunisia to support governance reform Strengthen civil society and promote peaceful and constructive dialogues to address internal conflicts USIP's work in Tunisia is bolstered by the presence of our field staff based in Tunisia Based in Tunis. Excuse me one such example of us IP strong engagement in Tunisia in Tunisian civil society is what we call our alliance on of Tunisian facilitators These are individuals who employ mediation techniques taught by the USIP to facilitate Dialogues at the local and community level Recently the alliance members engaged leadership from both student unions at the University of Manuba To address political tensions and prevent violence on the campus This resulted in an agreed code regulating student conduct Which was launched last October in the presence of the University administration its faculty and the Education Minister This historic document represents a significant achievement for peace in Tunisia And our team is hoping to replicate it in our efforts in other schools and at other unions Among the supporters within the Tunisian government for our alliance is Foreign Minister Junawi it is my pleasure to have Minister Junawi with us today to continue the conversation on Tunisia's role as a democracy in the region Minister Junawi was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2016 Before his appointment he was the diplomatic and foreign affairs advisor to the president And has also held the position of Secretary of State for foreign affairs He has served as Tunisian's ambassador to the Russian Federation Ukraine United Kingdom and republic of Ireland His dedication to peace brings him here today To share his perspectives and answer and answer our questions After delivering his remarks minister Junawi will be joined by ambassador William Taylor Our executive vice president at the u.s. Institute of peace And ambassador Taylor will moderate the discussion So please welcome minister junawi good afternoon everybody honorable vice president of usip ambassador william taylor dr. Michael jaffy Distinguished guests ladies and gentlemen It is indeed a great honor to have the opportunity today To address this gathering in the prestigious united states institute for peace to whom i am really grateful for the opportunity I also availed myself of the opportunity to acknowledge president nancy lindenburg and ambassador taylor Two to france of tunisia and praise their relentless commitment with the rest of the usip team To enhance bilateral relations between tunisia and the united states of america I would like also to like to point Out that the establishment in tunis of usip have represents a milestone On the path of promoting peace in our region a cause to which tunisia remains firmly committed I will not miss the opportunity today To recall one of the historical moment in the interaction between tunisia and this institute when back in may 2015 His excellency president bejekai sebsi on an official visit to the united states Was here as a special guest and gave a lecture on the theme Beyond security why us tunisian strategic partnership matters During which ambassador taylor was then also the moderator Ladies and gentlemen Today tunisia is again honored At this prestigious institute with this special event Offering the opportunity to reflect on why tunisia should matter for the new administration In washington The answer to this question can be found Not only the long history of relationship between the two countries But in the present as well As i mentioned yesterday to the secretary of state Mr. Rex Tillerson tunisia is proud of its deep-rooted and long-standing ties with the united states of america that date back to 1797 and This year we are celebrating The 220th anniversary of the first diplomatic link between tunisia and united states These relations were consolidated during tunisia's struggle For independence stretching to the building of the modern tunisian state to january 14 2011 revolution We are today sincerely grateful to the united states of america for all the support provided throughout our common history It is the fact it is a fact That the united states support through several mechanism programs as well as financial and military's assistance Was a significant contribution to in tunisia efforts to build the modern and democratic state ladies and gentlemen tunisia transition today towards Democracy has been fraught with challenges and crisis But unlike other countries, however tunisia opted for dialogue as a way to resolve conflict and build consensus That is no coincidence tunisia enjoys a singular modernist And reformist tradition and a strong supportive civil society Having achieved major strides in the political process With the adoption of a new constitution that enshrines Secular universal values and democratic standards tunisia is once again Offering a model and an alternative to radicalism and to all form of extremism Nevertheless the tunisian experience is still fragile And vulnerable to domestic and regional threat budgetary pressures social pressure Due to the persistence of unemployment and rising prices terrorism and extremism a real threat that could hamper the transition process moreover regional conflicts Mainly the situation in libya labor in libya Have further complicated tunisia endeavor and yearning towards a stable secure modern and democratic country Terrorism emerged as a scourge From which no country is immune Recent worldwide tragic event have illustrated the expansion of the world map map of terrorism Showcasing its global aspect which needs a global response Not only by military means but also by An ideological and social approach The war against terrorism declared by tunisia after the terrorist attack in 2015 Takes a particular significance After the unprecedented attack on bingarden The small small city the south of tunisia by islamic state militant who attempted to proclaim a daesh province in the south of the country The first anniversary of the the heroic battle of bingarden Was celebrated a week ago as it came to be known as a sign of tunisia resilience And invulnerability to daesh expansion ambition in the region thanks to the heroic Heroic and patriotic reaction of the local community and of course our brave military and security forces It is indeed very insignificant that the security partnership and cooperation Against terrorism and extremism were at the center of the recent telephone conversation between president Bejingheisepsi and president donald trump on the 17th of february The two leaders agreed to maintain close cooperation in order to win the war on terror Against which nobody is immune Tunisia is indeed at the forefront of the enter terror War and has made counterterrorism a high priority on the national level and in its international relation Around 20 percent of the public budget will be devoted to security in 2017 This is a considerable national effort As tunisia faces a wide range of other pressing challenges mainly in the economic and social fields Tunisia adopted in august 2015 a low on combating terrorism and money laundering Which is in line with international standards and best practices and reflects tunisia engagement to honor its international commitments Ladies and gentlemen In order to tackle the terrorism threat tunisia also adopted in november 16 national uh 2016 A national strategy to combat extremism and terrorism strategy that endorses a multi-dimensional approach articulated around four pillars prevention protection prosecution and response As part of our commitment to contribute to the international efforts against terrorism We have joined the global coalition against isis in september 2015 This coalition proved to be very effective and tunisia will be actively participating to the ministerial meeting On the defeat of isis due to be held in washington on march 22nd On this occasion tunisia will reiterate its commitment to this collective response to the common threat of terror We will also underline the importance of a holistic approach in the war against terror Taking into consideration the need for multi-dimensional solution Including the support for economic growth and employment in order to completely eradicate terrorism from our society In this regard, I would like to express tunisia gratitude for the valuable assistance that united states is providing In the framework of our increasingly effective cooperation to prevent extremism radicalism and terrorism The selection of tunisia on the 60 as the 16th major non-native ally of the united states of america sends a strong signal of support for tunisia's choice To join the world of the world democracies Thanks to the support of our partners among which the united states of america the security situation tunisia has significantly improved over the last couple of years Ladies and gentlemen, we equally command the american financial assistance that contributed in helping our young democracy overcome economic and security hardship We will remain hopeful That these assistance will be further strengthened as tunisia is going through an exceptional and critical phase in its history And and thus needs exceptional support from its actual friends and partners such as the united states of america In order to help the country tackle the growing security and economic challenges and meet the people needs and expectation The stable secure and democratic tunisia will be a real blow to non-democratic forces, which hate fundamental freedoms and capitalized on the disillusionment And discontent of some segment of the tunisian society by introducing a regressive and obscurantist Ideologies in order to cause instability and jeopardize modernist social achievement made since the independence Ladies and gentlemen, restarting the national economy, which is deeply linked to the improvement of the security situation Reducing unemployment among university graduates and regional disparities needs major infrastructure projects Especially in the internal region that will help playing the foundation for an inclusive and long-term growth In this regard. I just had before this this meeting A meeting with the mc's the millennium challenge corporation leadership board of directors, which To which we I we express our gratitude and thanks for selecting tunisia and making it eligible for funding under the compact program To tackle such a problem and eradicate poverty through economic growth In dealing with this challenge Tunisia has been engaged in process of reforms With the aim to improve the economic environment Securing an investment friendly climate with an equitable share of development and revenues Hence the tunisian government has already enacted major and challenging reforms The investment law the public private partnership the banking sector reform and most importantly A legal framework pertaining to transparency and anti-corruption, which is one of the most comprehensive in the region It is indeniable That the tunisian market remain an interesting asset for economic development for both local and foreign investment Noteness the the main case Case to success will rely on restoring socio-economic stability and addressing security concerns ladies and gentlemen It is a fact that tunisia stability and prosperity are tightly related to to its geopolitical situation Particularly in north africa In that regard it is obvious that the political stalemate in libya alongside the dangerous deterioration of the security situation Of the security situation that country affects tunisia as well as all neighboring countries Generating tremendous threat to the future of the region as a whole Taking into into account The situation in libya and the region and the important and vital stakes for tunisia We have taken the endeavor to help facilitate the consensual peaceful settlement of the crisis in libya President mejikai tsebsi launched in mid december 2016 An initiative associating two other neighboring countries Namely algeria and egypt and with the aim of working to facilitate Facilitate and commit all together to work A direct contact between the libyan faction in order to reach a consensual and comprehensive political settlement In the framework of the u.n sponsored agreement on december 2015 subsequently a ministerial meeting between tunisia algeria and egypt was held on february 19th and 20th 2017 in tunis as the first major step on the path towards a common position Of the three neighboring countries and their commitment towards a comprehensive solution The meeting allowed the three ministers The three foreign ministers to share the results of their consultation with the libyan involved parties And to prepare for holding a tripartite summit dialogue in algeria. Thus the initiative became a tri-lateral one The tunis the tunis declaration for a comprehensive political settlement in libya Adopted by the ministerial meeting emphasize the important important aspect such as Respect of libyan sovereignty the rejection the rejection of any foreign interference or military escalation And to consider that the settlement will be only political between the libyan themselves Regardless of their political orientation and affiliation The declaration also stresses the role and the responsibility of the united nation to support and follow up Any entire libyan dialogue with the involvement of the three neighboring countries This initiative created three positive dynamics One a first dynamic consists in the great conversions between the three countries in attitudes and political concept And vision for a peaceful political solution after the signature of the declaration by the ministers of the three countries And its adoption as a platform for a dialogue between the libyans And as an official document to the united nation the african union and the arab league Two a second dynamic was created among the libyan parties As they shown they have shown the desire to end the stalemate and reach a political and peaceful exit from the crisis And as the representative of institutional forces inside libya expressed their confidence in tunisia And particularly in the vision and position expressed by its president third thing The initiative has created the dynamic among influential countries on international regional arena By supporting this tripartite approach and the effort which aimed to create a climate of material trust Between the libyans in order to return to the negotiating table and reach compromise solution to Two difficult issues and considering that a ministerial statement reflect the will of the international community This trilateral initiative needs to be further supported by international partners Particularly the united states as a privileged partner in resolving the libyan crisis However, it is important to say that the this initiative Had and the huge efforts deployed to make it succeed to not aim to impose any solution to the on the libyan But to rationalize their position in order to reach Consensual and inclusive agreement Ladies and gentlemen The initiative for libya is but Another proof if needed be of tunisia commitment and determination to play a role Not only in its immediate geopolitical environment, but on a global scale as well Our proactive role in the arab world Illustrated by the successful completion of our recent mandate at the head of the arab league council and Our full-fledged involvement and contribution to the advancement of the african affairs Are significant and do reflect the importance of of the place tunisia holds And the respect it enjoys among its pair Taking into consideration all these aspects I can safely state that tunisia stands as a reliable strategic partner of the united states of america As such stable tunisia can only be an asset both Regionally and globally and that would not only serve tunisia interests, but also those of the united states of america Ladies and gentlemen allow me to conclude with a few thoughts as a response to the theme of the event Why should tunisia matter for the new u.s. Administration? In a nutshell nutshell I can state that Tunisia and the united states enjoy long-standing ties of friendship and cooperation These ties need today and more than ever to be further strengthened and diversified for the mutual interest of our two friendly countries and peoples Tunisia an open tolerant and proud country of its arab african and military heritage is a strategic ally To the united states and a trusted partner and friend in the region Tunisia with the collaboration of european union and american partners could be a model of a country Which is capable of social resilience in the fight against the scourge of terrorism and extremism in the region Tunisia which has all the ingredients of stability Or harmony society or young and vibrant democracy and constant policy of non interference Could play a major role in reinforcing the pillars of security and stability in the region, especially in brotherly libya Tunisia at the end and the united states of america share the same values And should be strong partners in combating terrorism and mainly isis Thank you very much for your attention So far minister Thank you. Yes, sir And you can sit in front of your flag I hate reading So so your reading is done. Yes so Minister let me first of all, thank you very much for for being here Let me also thank everyone who has jammed into this room This is a tribute minister to what what you are here to talk about and that is the importance of Tunisia by the people in this room Coming out on a difficult day So I really appreciate that and there are people behind these cameras back here Many of whom had intended to be here, but they're going to be here watching you On online. So there are others that are that are back there This is a great opportunity for us to have a conversation with you and as you saw next door We've been able to bring representatives from the defense department And from the the united states agency international development and the state department Here the three d's that we say And representatives from the congress are also here whom you will see again tomorrow So this is their Wallace and we have a former ambassador ambassador jake wallets here who We're very pleased to see back here It's this it's a great opportunity for us to have a conversation with you and I will shortly ask the You all in the audience for your questions for the for the foreign minister Because you Are tired of reading But you gave a great statement minister about the answer to the question that is Why jesus should matter to the united states we here in this country Have had an unusual election Some of the conversations during this election campaign this past election campaign last fall centered around The role of the united states in the world And some argue that we should look first To the united states look first the home others argued that nope We have some responsibilities abroad you have just made the case for tunisia I remember the last time you and I were together Actually, I visited the the foreign minister in tunis on election day And I went to bed Tunisian time before the polls closed here in in the united states we shared our predictions So it was a very interesting conversation But that was an interesting election and it did have this these questions Raised about the role of the united states in the world You've given you've you've talked about shared values and you talked about the role of tunisia In fighting terrorism and and extremism I know you've had a conversation with secretary of state and you'll have an opportunity to talk to the congress tomorrow In in your words then What would you say to people in The heartland of the united states about why tunisia is important? Well, it is important because as I said in my speech that it's This is a country which has a very long history of friendship with the united states of america So it does not depend on the one single administration It goes back to 120 years And we think that we are good friends because United states was there when tunisia was struggling to gain independence And the united states helped tunisia within the united nation Making its case, you know to obtain its independence then when we start building a new state the modern state united states was Among the first countries to come to tunisia and help peace corps and many other programs usid And many other agencies were there in tunisia helping tunisia in the remote area of tunisia, you know getting uplifted and You know getting access to major Important services. So we are grateful to that kind of relationship now since 2011. We are started a new new New page of our history and united states was there Among the first country to say this is something unique which deserves the attention and the support of this country and Land the require support to tunisia. So we don't think that there is What is happening here in united states and this is something domestic which We don't have any business on of talking about it I think this is something For the american to judge, but we say that these long-standing friendship deserves the attention Because what tunisia is doing is for the interest of tunisia, but also for the interest of the american people Mr. You also described Another of the values that that tunisia represents to the united states Is your stabilizing role in the region? You mentioned that tunisia is a strategic ally a major non-native major non-native ally of the united states But you are also taking initiatives which you described The tripartite initiative on libya. Yes, maybe you can say a little more about That is that one of the things that the institute of peace does is we try to encourage Help support Local governments and local people resolve conflicts themselves. This is not for us to do this is for Tunisians to do and and eventually libyans to do But how is that? How is that process going to Result in in and more stable part of that world? Well, we are in the beginning of a process because the situation in libya is interoperable It's a difficult situation and we think that Just we hear today that there are some fights going on in Tripoli So this it's in the immediate neighborhood of tunisia and tunisia has A stake in helping the libyans, you know getting together finding a political settlement of their difference We think that there are all conditions for the libyans to settle their difference. This is a harmonious society A society with no ethnic or major ethnic difference And there is no reason that the libyans should not get together and settle their difference and have a stable government You know to be an interlocutor for the rest of the world We need the stable libya next to tunisia because our experience is interlinked with the situation in libya libya was a major A partner of tunisia 2.5 billion dollars in exchange were made in 2010 But unfortunately all this has evaporated because of situation libya Also libya now is becoming unfortunately a safe heaven for all these terrorist groups trying to settle down, you know In a country where there is no strong central government. So it is our duty to help the libyans The libyans with whom we have also Very strong relationship Going back, you know centuries But also it is in the interest of tunisia and the neighboring countries to help that country, you know settle their Settling its problems Mr. You mentioned that you had seen secretary tillerson Yesterday He has been to libya. I suspect in his previous job. You said he hadn't been to tunisia not The oil reserves in tunisia are less than that. No, I didn't say that. Oh, you didn't say that Never said that. But he did visit tunisia very well and you invited him, I know to come to Yes, I should write him as a friend of tunisia to come and visit and witness by himself The the work done in tunisia and how tunisia is a good friend of the united states And stability in libya will be important for you your economy Your stability, but it's also important for the world economy for that for the oil reason Yes, well The stability in tunisia, I mean the stability in libya will yeah Yeah, the stability and libya, of course, it's it's important for the security first of The libyans of the neighboring country, but also of europe libya is just 50 triple is just 50 minutes from Italy, so it's it's very important It's a quite a strategic country where everybody has to look to help the libyans settle their problems Otherwise if there is an explosion there The the its effect will touch everybody Including here in the united states, so there is a stake For everybody to get interest in the what is going on in libya Not just for oil not just for oil no, sorry, but it does affect the the world economy And the price of oil When when the foreign minister was an ambassador, he was the ambassador to russia the soviet union at the time No, it was in russia. It was in russia and diplomatic before that it was the soviet union. Yes Again one of the earlier times when we met we had a conversation about our different views of of russia but The oil price has some effect on the stability in russia and so again if if stability in in libya Supported by and facilitated by this tripartite work that you're doing can can put some downward pressure on oil prices That could be that could put some more pressure on russia as you have as you have pointed out before most probably i think But anyway, it was not the frankly speaking it was not the strategic aim Our strategic aim when we started this initiative of helping the libyans settling their differences But if if one of the results will be that it will help stabilizing the oil price then It's good. I mean for the libyan, but the russian and i'm sure for the americans a side benefit I think that's exactly right Mr. Let me ask people in the audience if they would like to ask questions of you And I will open this, uh, please let's see. Yes. Uh, garratt has well and thank you both for this thing Okay, so we'll start right here. Emily we can start right here Emily has been working all day I think we we've and despite the fact that the institute piece is in the middle of the snowstorm We had the uh, kenyan prime minister here and former prime minister and so Emily staffed that one as well As did garratt. Thank you both very much and yes, ma'am your question. My name is dochi fasigina. I'm with freedom house It's a pleasure to be here and listen to you with your remarks um I want to hear a little bit if you wouldn't mind speaking a little bit about the democratization process in tunisia I'd love to hear a little bit about your views on the truth and dignity commission and how That's evolving in the country. I'd also love to We've been following the decentralization process in tunisia and feel that that will be critical in Bringing more support and representation to tunisians and the interior And I'd love to learn a little bit about your views on how that's going as well. Thank you Should I Answer what that one had several parts. So why don't you do that and then the next then after that we'll take maybe two questions at a time Yes, the uh I think we have already achieved major steps In the democratization process. We have a now stable institution with the uh, a vibrant multi party parliament we have A president directly elected by the people for the first time We have government enjoying a large majority within the parliament 169 seats among 217 And we have a permanent institution Which were envisaged by the constitution One one of them. This is not what I mean the truth and the dignity Uh commission is not part of the constitution is it's it's not a constitutional Commission, but it's part of the process It it's it's working normal and Almost on a weekly Paces there are some tv broadcast showing the situation of many tunisian who are victims of the old regime and So I think it's it's working properly. There is no problem of having that commission It's part of the process, but besides that commission. We have many other commission like justice for example commission We elected the justice commission, which should be running the justice System in tunisia. It's no more the the minister of justice who runs the system. We have an independent commission which Designate judges looks after their career Move them from one place to another give them notes and the minister is watching He is not he is no more involved in this process So and it's by the way, this commission has a majority of women 18 women among 32 members So it shows that we we want quite made Big strides and in that field also giving a parity between men and women We think we think that we we are very proud of the achievement made on the democratic process But still we are just in the beginning. We are not a democracy We are not a democracy yet We are we are aspiring to become a real democracy But democracy comes with security with economic development with prosperity shared prosperity with all among all tunisians, but the wheel is there We have a freedom of press. We have 46 TVs in tunisia today. We have 146 parties Around 86 newspaper we used to have one newspaper for almost 60 years. So we we have 86 today. We have around 100 Website and electronic media. So it shows it's it's an explosion of free freedom of expression It is not an easy easy to manage all this But there is a strong will from the authorities to keep it working and running well because it's it's the in the interest of the Tunisian people The model that tunisia provides Of a democracy or near democracy I would say that it's a democracy I would I would say that we we all have there are flaws everywhere including here but in the region A muslim arabic democracy Is unique I believe in and in tunisia. So this is a this is a model I think the uniqueness of these experiences to show to the rest of the world that This picture between islam And democracy can work hand in hand We want to demonstrate to the rest of the world That this is a muslim arab country proud of its heritage but ready, you know to expose International values and become member of the concert of democratic nations. I think we are on the right path As I said We we are just a child of six years a six years old child. So we need some strength, you know to grow up That's why we need the support of our friends to get more immunity, you know and to continue our Progress absolutely great question Kim Holmes Emily right here Kim home is a heritage foundation mr. Mr. Thank you first of all for coming to the united states It's an important for you to be here At this time there's a lot of things in flux in washington and it's important to have your voice here at this time uh as I'm sure you know, uh the Foreign affairs budget of the united states is facing some fairly severe cuts Perhaps as much as 37 percent for the for the annual budget And you've already had some discussions with members of congress about this. I I understand Can you spend some time? Describing how important the us aid is to all of the goals that you have mentioned here There's different kinds of aid of course whose economic support funds and their security assistance There's different kinds of aid And it's important as we here in washington and the united states debate the impact of these budget cuts It's not just what happens with the state department budget, but what also happens with the aid budget So could you spend a bit of time? Describing how important specifically the us aid is to the objectives that you have described here today Minister why don't we take that one? That's an important question that will give you Opportunity to answer with that focus. Yes Should I ask this? I think by the purpose of my visit is not to talk about the cut of the aid is to the increase of the aid So but this is something something something, you know A debate domestic debate going on here in the united states, but I think it's vital What we the kind of support receiving we receive from united states is vital Because it helps us frankly speaking It was vital in improving the capabilities on the effectiveness of our fight against terrorism It's the capacity building The training the equipment which we have Ordered from united states, but also we are getting as Amazing on night to ally Will help us, you know fight a common enemy Which is threatening not only to lisia, but also united states So we hope that despite this budgetary cut that Whatever Support we are getting from united states it will not Be cut but in the country it will be increased and that's the kind of message Which I wanted to try to convey to the congressman Senators whom I met During these last two days on the economic front also we We hope that united states will continue Giving the support it is doing now to tunisia not just as a financial aid, but also as training as Helping tunisians, you know Reform its laws and ambassador Wallace knows that there are a few Ideas and few projects which we are conducting together. So we hope We hope that what has been achieved In the last few years will continue And in the country will expand for the interest of both countries That's our hope Very good. Okay, so let's do two questions now all the way in the back Um Thanks, Emily. It's all on Emily's side here. It's coming Garrett. Come here. We're coming here. We're coming and also right here. Yes Right there in the gray jacket Yes, ma'am. Hi, my name is Maria Mujerhead. I'm 16 years old and I'm an exchange student in the u.s with with the u.s department So at the end of your speech you mentioned about the relationship between the u.s And tunisia and for me as an exchange student I see about 35 exchange student from tunisia coming to the u.s every year But at the same time i don't see american exchange student going to tunisia like at the same time Meanwhile, I see exchange student going from america going to other north african and middle eastern countries So for you, what do you think like? Other ways that can more strengthen the relationship between the the two countries Thank you. Very good. Okay. The exchange is very important And I know that uh, best rewatch actually was responsible for getting uh, some of these exchanges going in this direction. This is important. Yes, sir Yeah, oh, I'm sorry. I I thought it was gonna be that guy, but stand by it. It's coming. It's good. You want to do him now There you go I'll back one further one further there you go. That's who I meant. That's who I meant Sorry, it wasn't clear again. That was my fault Thank you very much. I thought you were taking question from your friends But now we are friends. Thank you. Uh, my name is mahmoud charawi. I'm from egypt. I'm with american university my question is You know, um, tunisian and gypsians have longed for democracy for many years, but actually what is part the arab spring Wasn't just democracy, but um the economic Demands of the people Burnt himself because he didn't find Like a chance to to live properly or to live decently so after six years of the revolution that left the institution of the of tunisia intact and after the removal of um, the corrupt regime and um, um and tunisia being blessed of being away from Like the the main area of conflict in the middle east So why tunisia is not doing so well economically? And the people actually took out to the street took to the streets because of economic reason primarily So two questions then what about exchanges? Yes, and one of the egypt experience No, but I didn't see the link between egyptian and tunisia. Why tunisia is not doing well in the economy? I didn't see the the link Yeah Well Well regarding the exchange, of course, this is one of the major topics we are discussing with the our american france We would like to have more tunisian coming first to united states We have the thomas jefferson program for tunisian students coming here But we think that the number is not sufficient We we think that there is a possibility of increasing those numbers because Investing in young people going get getting to american universities investing in the future and in the relationship and the friendship between the two countries but regarding the some Student american students going to tunisia. There are a few of them studying in tunisia. We want more of them Frankly speaking, we open our universities to more americans We used to have very good institute in tunisia teaching American diplomats arabic. It was closed down after 2011 We are hopeful that it will come back because it was It was there for almost 40 years. So it was very efficient and it has its impact on on many American diplomats who served in the arab world. So there is a scope here to for further development in This this field regarding the economy in tunisia and why it's not doing well despite the aspiration of the young people in 2011 Unfortunately, you know We and before the revolution we used to have a system That system was running the country it was doing Grossomo do well in the economy But because we used to have five percent rate of growth that system Has been has complete. I mean has been changed completely changed and we are building a new system now Another system liberal system linked to a political democratic system It takes time to run that system because for example decision making now is not one person who takes decision We have to go through a process whatever whatever agreement we have with the foreign country We have to go through the parliament it takes time to approve those agreements and with foreign partners and We lose a lot of time You know getting the money dispersing dispersing them and starting the projects We are very aware of that And that's why we Of course the major reforms have already been achieved We have a new investment code now trying to attract More investment. We have a new law related to public private partnership the new banking law New competition law The all these legal framework Will help we hope will make Tunisia more friendly for foreign investors But when you have Unfortunately terrorist attacks This frightened, you know foreign tourists and The whole tourist sector Which represents 7% of our GDP collapsed almost collapsed in 2015 Now fortunately thanks to the work done by our security forces Now the situation is getting better and we are getting more tourists. So it's it's it's a transition process Which does not respond as Quickly as the young people wish it But we are there. We know we know that we have to improve the pace of reforms and respond to the expectation of Tunisia people And just on the point about about Egypt The fact that Tunisia is a democratic model And is the only Muslim-arab Democracy in the region Does give it an advantage on as as stability comes The Investors will be looking for democracies to invest in and so I think that will That will prove the the wisdom of the Tunisian people moving it forward Okay, I'm going to go back here this young woman here and then I'm going to come back up here because I I'm just Garrett right here. Yes Very good. Well done Hi, thank you very much minister. I'm Elise goss alexander with the u.s. Commission on international religious freedom um, I was wondering if you could speak a little bit more about some of the non-military approaches that the government is taking to countering violent extremism in the country you mentioned addressing unemployment for University graduates, but I was wondering if you could expand a little bit. Thank you So there's that one and then we'll take one other question at the moment You know, I I promised uh, peter tobran here right here. So Okay, so religious freedom and yes, thank you sir pj. Tobias from the pbs news hour actually in about two weeks We're going with a crew to tunisia to do a couple of stories Sort of about the cultural resurgence of the country in the last few years One thing we're not going to be able to really touch on is the us the us tunisia military relationship I know that last year a fusion center was established um, and that there I've read somewhere that there were calls for More drone oversight us drones on the libya border. What would you like to see? From an enhanced military relationship with the us and what do you think the us military can do for the security of tunisia? Two good different questions here two absolutely you can choose which one you want to do first Well religious freedom, I think I don't think there is any problem of Of religions freedom in tunisia. It's Enriched in the constitution We have one of the most modern constitution giving Liberty of conscience to tunisians, which means anybody in tunisia can practice its religion freely Without the interference of the state I think there are a few free free countries in the world Which has this like a legal? sorry protection for the the Religious freedom Addressing radicalism. I agree with you. It's not just a security issue. It has to be And that's why we laid down a number of programs related to education to social To the role of woman role of family role role of the civil society To help these young people, you know getting the right education and the right to bring it up in order to Immune them against extremism and radicalism We are in the process at the beginning of the process. We are in good cooperation with different countries, particularly european countries And there are a whole program run run now by different Different ministries and different departments in order to address this this issue Regarding security I think we have a quite substantial cooperation between Tunisia and united states It's it is it relates of course to as I said to capacity building to trading but also united states is helping tunisia you know Having the right and the proper tools Electronic tools to monitor our border with libya Where there is a kind of fence Which we are building with the united states but also with the germans In order to protect our border. We have a quite big border with libya 540 kilometers, which is unprotected now and We have to find more sophisticated on modern ways To protect ourselves from any infiltration from terrorists from a neighboring country I'm glad pbs news hour is going to visit Tunis. This is you are welcome. It's very good. Okay. So two more here. Um, let's go here one Um, and in the back there get right there there you go and emily right here Um, munjid al-wadi from the center for the study of islam and democracy. Welcome minister in dc given the problematic policies that the this administration is pursuing And its attitude toward the muslims and islam You mentioned that tunisia is a muslim Country proud of its heritage and it's also a democracy. I'm just working, you know, Interested to know if what is the attitude of this administration? When you try to make that point to them That there is no contradictions between islam and democracy and that Many different parties might have a framework of Uh islam within its understanding of when dealing with politics are they receptive to that to that kind of idea very good Yes, sir Hi, my name is musad the cabrera. I'm a libyan researcher at colombia university in march 2015 the tunisia ministry of commerce estimated the number of libyan refugees in tunisia to around a million refugee which is Roughly 10 percent of the tunisia population Giving the economical challenges that tunisia faces right now. Um, are there any international local Efforts to improve the conditions of the libyan refugees in tunisia? Thank you Okay Again, you have your choice which to do which order. Yeah. Well regarding islam What the colleague Um qualified of problematic policy for islam I think uh, we didn't we didn't frankly speaking I didn't have the opportunity to raise this question because I don't think it's an issue for tunisia Anyway, tunisia has been a muslim country for 14 centuries now And I don't think it's it's a problem of claiming to become to be a muslim country You mean maybe the political islam that's another issue And political islam in tunisia is part of the whole spectrum is part of the government And it's well integrated within the system The the political the islamic party in tunisia is playing I mean respecting the rules of the game and I think it's part of the whole system It's does not raise any problem within tunisia or with our minister Maybe the maybe the question was in your conversations with this administration in in washington They that have you know, there there are allegations that the immigration ban on or restrictions on on muslim countries certain muslim countries Demonstrated Some kind of an attitude that I think you may have been asking about was that your question? That's part of But we are not in the Middle East we are the north africa We're a different part of the world so but Regarding the ban of foreign I think this is a sovereign frankly speaking we we we don't question or discuss This decision which is part of the The sovereign sovereign decision of the president Trump He can make for to protect the security of his country Whatever measures he would like to make tunisia is not included in those countries and I think there is a motivation the motivation security more than the religion That's how we understand it so We think we don't think that We have to judge or prejudge such kind of decision from the Tunisian point of view And you have the question on the libyan refugees Right the question on the libyan refugees. Yeah, sorry. Yeah, sorry Well, first of all, we don't consider them as refugees Did we ever said that we have 450,000 libyan living in tunisia as refugees? We never raised this with the international community or the international Organization we consider them as part of the Tunisian society. They are well integrated. They live with us We never claimed any compensation for them though. They you know benefit of like any Tunisian citizen from all the social support and subsidies from the government But we never asked this kind of question because we think that we have very strong relationship with the libyan people and In 2011 when we received 1 million 1.3 million Refugees from libya. We never claimed this. They came they went out from tunisia. They didn't make any problem They were received within the tunisian families They sent their children to study in tunisian schools And they are not picking problems So frankly speaking we we we don't consider them as the refugees and that again points out how how tunisia is a model and more countries Probably should do that that kind of approach on on refugees ambassador I know you have other places to be I There are many other questions that do it love. I but I don't want to put you off schedule here So you and amal can tell me when you have to Time for two more questions five five minutes. Okay So We'll do This lady in the back and the gentleman in the front So Emily here Yes, ma'am Hi, my name is rosalie rubio. I'm a phd student at george washington university. So thank you for your time I wanted to ask you if you felt that tunisia's current counter-terrorism and security policy Has impacted tunisia's attempts to consolidate its democracy And if so how and how might those challenges be overcome? All right, very good. Uh, yes, sir I tried it again here. I'm sorry, Emily. That's right. All right. Do do two do two quick ones. Yeah I'll be quick. Uh, how would look Frankie with the christian science monitor something of a follow-up on my colleagues question here my friend's question in the back on the economy, but We've heard at least since the uh, arab human development report of 2002 that youth unemployment um Must be addressed and that the problem of Radicalization of youth, you know won't be addressed until Youth unemployment is brought down Among arab youth and i'm wondering what progress have you you know, have you made in over these years? I know you've talked about about this But what specifically has been done what kinds of things are being done to address this? very critical issue to the problem of Radicalism and extremism Very good. Last question Hi, i'm emir sferzi full bright scholar Tunisian full bright scholar at the school of international service American university and i want to ask Mr the the minister about the Rescheduling or the report or the reducing of the tunisian debt as we know that the tunisian debt is a major Challenge facing us and have we had Such initiative from this new US government to continue to support tunisia And we know that the imf and the world bank and all the Lenders that gave us money are putting a lot of pressure on us about all the reforms. Thank you Okay, minister. So we have counterterrorism versus democracy youth unemployment and tunisian debt All in three minutes We can make another lecture on these issues Well counterterrorism are low. We are we are a new democracy now. So we have a law which we we should respect But these are the enemies. I mean these foreign fighters coming back to tunisia or Tunisians who are involved in terrorism. Yeah There is a special law which was enacted in 2015 It's very specific It Fixes the rules to be applied for any person involved in terrorism. So these people will be treated According to the law Their human rights will be respected But of course the the country has to protect itself From these individuals So we are we are very very clear about this Uh, we will apply for them the low prevailing law Youth unemployment that's that's a major issue in tunisia It was the origin the start of the revolution 2011 because Unfortunately, we have we used to have at the time around 600 thousands young people without without jobs Among them 250,000 with university degrees Uh We were talking about democracy these people. They are still waiting for the dividend of democracy To show them that democracy is worth supporting because it improves their way of living To be realistic Till now because of the Economic situation the country is not yet able To deliver to the expectation of those young people some of them have been employed There are different programs which were Put by the government, you know, like startups encouraging people, you know, having their own business Uh developing kind of training and vocational training, you know to give them the right training to make them more you know, uh, accepted by the By the business people But still there are hundreds of thousands them Still looking for jobs And it's going to be for a number of years like that Some of them have been recruited by the first by the government Coming after 2011 the troika government and they were recruited by by the in the civil service but unfortunately now Because of that passive recruitment within the government we have problem with the IMF Because we have to reduce the number of the people working for the government. So, uh, it's it's a difficult situation. It's not easy We are aware of it. We are looking to find the way to respond to the expectation of those young people We are having Different kind of programs with our partners, particularly in europe We are we just discussed with germany the creation of a new university for vocational training Which will be built immediately in 2017 in order to help those young people, you know, with university degrees Getting the right Training and the right education to be employed by the uh by the private sector Which then leads to the last question on tinesia debt Yeah, yeah, uh, there is one one You know, uh Important policy which tulisia pursued in the last 60 years We never defaulted paying our debt Till today we have difficulties We have major difficulties pressure from the budget, but till now we respect Our obligation paying on time our debt We hope that will continue like that. Some of our friends and partners Started converting some of our debt into projects Just france italy germany lately and switzerland belgium different amount and different programs But still the debt is getting larger It's around 56% now of our gdp. It's In 2011 was 46 So it's it increased a lot the last few years It's a major problem But we are trying to find ways to convincing our friends and partners to help us Either You know finding converting some of that debt into development projects and some of our friends are responding to that request Minister you have answered the question Why should the united states and the international community support teneza to make it a success? I want to thank you for doing that. Please join me in thanking the minister for his time