Unconditional solidarity with the Tunisian people, more support for civil society, and a call for strong EU assistance in dealing with the many challenges of Tunisia's transition to democracy, were the key messages voiced by MEPs after the first European Parliament delegation visit to Tunisia between 3 and 6 February. These were the main conclusions presented at a joint meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Human Rights Sub-committee.

Further to the visit of a European Parliament independent delegation to Tunisia, members of this delegation stressed that the key challenges Tunisia will face after the "Jasmine revolution", are going to be in first place economic and financial. In addition, and due to the instability in the area, the tourism sector is been affected which will most likely create a debt crisis too. Problems will also relate to safety and security of persons, structures and institutions, as well as to the economic productive system. Finally, the challenge of creating the democratic process, including the reform of the electoral system, of the judiciary, establishing a free press and the very idea of freedom in general.

Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network President Kamel Jendoubi also highlighted the feeling that the European Union as well as member states had a timid attitude regarding what was happening in Tunis and that a more clear position supporting what is happening in Tunis was expected. He underlined that people is are expecting voices who supported the regime to be removed from power, adding that while the EU should support the transitional government, it should not give it a blank cheque.

Referring to the supposed Islamist threat, Mr Jendoubi said that the "Facebook generation" will not allow totalitarianism, be it secular or religious. He insisted that one of the most urgent needs is to put in place projects which would incorporate young people in political life. He also called for gender equality and a heightened role for women in the new Tunisia.

MEPs welcomed the Tunis provisional government's invitation to the EU to send an election observation mission. They also urged that a donors' conference dedicated to Tunisia should be convened in order to offer targeted support where the risk of deep social tensions remains high in order to tackle the problems such as the 40 to 50% estimated youth unemployment and the economic downturn in sectors such as tourism where revenues recently slumped by 40%.

Regarding the planned EU assistance package being currently prepared by the European External Action Service and to be presented to the Tunisian side by Foreign Affairs High Representative Catherine Ashton during her upcoming visit to Tunisia, some MEPs requested access to this document and suggested that Tunisia to be part of the list of pilot countries included in the revision of EU financial instrument for the promotion of democracy and human rights (EIDHR). However, the idea of setting up an inter-institutional task force to meet Tunisia's need for assistance with the transition process, as stated in a recently-passed European Parliament resolution, received mixed reactions from the MEPs.