TUNIS. Republic of Tunisia
A state in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Area - 164.2 thousand km². Capital - Tunis (approx. 2 million), major cities: Sfax (600 thousand), Bizerte, Kairouan, Sousse, Gabes, Monastir. Administrative division - 20 provinces. Population - 9.92 million (2004), predominantly Tunisians (Arabs).
Official language - Arabic, widely spoken French. State religion - Sunni Islam. Currency - Tunisian dinar ** 1000 millimes.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on November 11, 1956, ambassador exchange took place in 1960).
National holiday - March 20 - Independence Day (1956),
Tunisia is a republic with strong presidential power. The President of the country since 1957 was H. Bourguiba. On November 7, 1987, as a result of the "Jasmine Revolution," Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was then Prime Minister, succeeded him. The presidential elections held in April 1989 confirmed him as the head of state. In the elections on December 24, 2004, Z. A. Ben Ali was re-elected as President of Tunisia for a fourth term - 2005-09. The President is elected by universal direct and secret ballot for a term of 5 years.
Prime Minister (since November 1999) - M. Ghannouchi. The current constitution was adopted on June 1, 1959 (with subsequent amendments). In May 2002, a constitutional reform affected more than 70 articles of the constitution.
Legislative power is exercised by a bicameral parliament: the upper house - the Chamber of Advisors (formed in July 2005, term of office for an advisor - 6 years) and the lower house - the Chamber of Deputies, elected for a 5-year term and consisting of 189 deputies (the last elections were held in October 2004). The Chairman of the Chamber of Advisors (since August 2005) - A. Kallel, Chairman of the Chamber of Deputies (since October 1997) - F. Mebazaa. According to the law on the Chamber of Advisors, its functions are defined as an advisory body without the right of legislative initiative, but its consent is required for the approval of bills passed by the Chamber of Deputies.
The ruling party (which has a majority in parliament) is the Democratic Constitutional Assembly (DCA) (founded in 1934, until 1988 - the Socialist Destourian Party). The Chairman of the DCA is Z. A. Ben Ali. There are 7 parties of legal opposition: the Movement of Democratic Socialists, the People's Unity Party, the Progressive Socialist Union, the Social-Liberal Party, the Unionist Democratic Union, the Movement of Renewal (former Communist Party), and the Democratic Bloc for Labor and Freedoms.
The only trade union organization is the General Tunisian Labor Union (UGTT), which has 375 thousand members.
Tunisia is a country with a rich historical past, influenced by many ancient civilizations. It was here in the 9th century BC that the Phoenicians founded the once-powerful Carthage, which fell after three Punic Wars under the pressure of Rome. Centuries later, after experiencing the rule of the Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines, this region was conquered by the Arabs. In the 16th century, it became part of the Ottoman Empire; from 1705, the country was governed by beys from the Husaynid dynasty. From 1881 to 1956, Tunisia was a protectorate of France. During World War II, it was temporarily occupied by fascist Germany. In 1956, Tunisia achieved independence, and since 1957, it has been a republic. In 1963, France evacuated its naval base from Bizerte.
In the field of domestic politics, the authorities continued to pursue a line of dialogue with opposition parties, leaving the leading political force in the country - the DCA - a monopoly on conducting democratic reforms. The activation of the fundamentalist party "Nahda" and extremist Muslim groups had a negative impact on the domestic political situation. The Islamic opposition tried to rally its supporters and organize protests against the ruling regime. There were clashes with the police and army. The protests were suppressed, and the leadership of "Nahda" was arrested. In the spring and summer of 1992, political processes took place, during which severe sentences were handed down to the fundamentalists.
On the international stage, Tunisia adheres to the concept of "all azimuths," i.e., developing friendly relations with all countries. It maintains the most advanced relations with Western European and Arab countries. It plays an active role in the Barcelona Process. In December 2003, Tunisia hosted the first summit of Western Mediterranean countries in the "5+5" format. Inter-Arab policy, including its Maghreb direction (Tunisia was the initiator of the creation of the Arab Maghreb Union in 1989), occupies a significant place in the activities of the Tunisian leadership.
Tunisia is a member of the UN (since 1956), the African Union (since 1963), the League of Arab States (since 1958), and is a participant in practically all international treaties and conventions on disarmament, as well as all 12 universal anti-terrorist conventions. One of the priorities of its foreign policy activities is to establish a dialogue of civilizations.
Tunisia is an agrarian country with a relatively developed industry. Despite modest natural resource reserves, it is among the most developed countries in Africa (GDP per capita - $2200 per year).
The economy of Tunisia is based on "three pillars" - oil (3.2 million tons produced in 2003), phosphates (7.1 million tons), and tourism, with revenues exceeding $1 billion per year (about 5 million tourists in 2004).
Tunisia occupies leading positions in the "third world" in terms of computerization, traditionally being an exporter not only of skilled labor but also of doctors, engineers, and teachers to Arab and African countries. According to the World Bank, Tunisia is the only Arab and the second (after Mauritius) African country that is among the top ten most dynamically developing countries in the "third world."
Agriculture, which employs 40% of the active population of the country, contributes over 14% of GDP and provides 80% of the country’s food products. 90% of agricultural land belongs to the private sector. The most important crops are grains (average annual harvest - 2 million tons), as well as (in thousand tons) citrus fruits (221), olives (400), and dates (88).
Alongside mining, electrical engineering, textiles, sewing, and leather-shoe industries are well-developed, as well as the service sector.
The economic situation in Tunisia is quite stable. The GDP in 2004 amounted to $25 billion, with average growth rates of over 5% per year. The inflation rate is 3% per year. The country's external debt is estimated at $15 billion. The Tunisian leadership is pursuing a policy of further liberalization and modernization of the economy, transitioning from an import-substituting model to an export-oriented one by attracting and encouraging foreign investments, creating joint ventures and free economic zones, and introducing the convertibility of the local currency.
Railways - over 2 thousand km, roads - 35 thousand km. Two airlines - "Tunis-Air" and "Carthage" and 6 seaports play an important role in Tunisia's connections with the outside world.
The foreign trade turnover in 2004 amounted to $31 billion (exports - $19.3 billion, imports - $11.7 billion). The main export items are textiles, leather, phosphates and derivatives, agricultural products; mainly imported are machinery and equipment, consumer goods, and food.
Tunisia is a founding member of the WTO. The leading partners of Tunisia are France, Germany, and Italy. EU member countries account for 80% of its foreign trade relations. Since January 1, 1996, an agreement on Tunisia's partnership with the EU and the establishment of a free trade zone between them (by 2008) has been in effect.
The unemployment rate in 2004 was 14%, and the poverty rate was 4.2%. According to official statistics, about 65% of the population belongs to the middle class.
There are 13 universities in the country, the largest being: Tunis University, "El-Manar," and November 7 University (more than 45 thousand students each). The oldest Muslim university "Zaytuna" is also located in the capital.
In Tunisia, 8 daily newspapers and 12 periodicals are published, including "Renouveau," "Cotidien," "Ash-Shourouk," "As-Sabah," "Press," "Tunis," "Al-Hurriya," with a total circulation of more than 600 thousand copies. The central information agency is Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP). There is a state radio service (3 radio stations) and television (2 channels). In 2003, private radio and television broadcasting began for the first time.