ISTANBUL
Tunisian Ambassador in Ankara, Mehrez Ben Rhouma, has said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the first statesman in the world to extend support to the Tunisian revolution.
Speaking to the Anadolu Agency (AA) in Turkish capital of Ankara, Ambassador Rhouma said that they needed Turkey in all issues.
Following the revolution, the basic duty of the Tunisian Parliament is to prepare a new and democratic constitution, Rhouma noted.
We are trying to benefit from Turkey as a country working on a new constitution just as we have done on laws regarding elections, Rhouma stressed.
We were pleased by the visits of Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan to Tunisia following the revolution. Many agreements were signed with Turkey during their visits and our schools began providing lessons on Turkish language, Rhouma indicated.
Turkish-Tunisian relations are based on a common history, culture and civilization. The fact that our flags are the same is an important proof of such relations, Rhouma noted.
Touching on the national agenda of Tunisia, Ambassador Rhouma said that there were two highly important matters for them: economy and security.
Production in Tunisia was below zero. There have been positive developments in our economy following the revolution. We have taken steps to curb unemployment. Following the Libyan revolution, one million people arrived in Tunisia. As such, we experienced serious security problems. We have taken steps on such an issue with the efforts of our people, Rhouma said.
On Rashid al-Ghannushi, Ambassador Rhouma said that al-Ghannushi was a good friend of President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan.
Al-Ghannushi is the symbol of our people's unity, Rhouma noted.
In regard to the AA's Arabic edition news, Ambassador Rhouma said that they welcomed such a service with appreciation and happiness.
Thanks to the AA, we will receives news on Turkish-Tunisia relations from first hand, Rhouma also said.
