PRODI VISIT REINFORCES ITALY-TUNISIA RELATIONSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 002693 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM TS SUBJECT: PRODI VISIT REINFORCES ITALY-TUNISIA RELATIONSHIP Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES a.i. DAVID BALLARD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi visited Tunis on October 30 for meetings with Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. According to Italian embassy contacts, Prodi's visit is part of a regional tour that includes Rabat and Algiers. While focusing on bilateral cooperation, Prodi also reportedly discussed human rights with Ben Ali. Prodi also commented on the withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C/NF) BILATERAL ISSUES: According to official GOT press announcements, during his meeting with Prodi, Ben Ali voiced his satisfaction with the pace of bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment and tourism. Ben Ali also stressed the need to intensify joint projects and increase economic partnership. In his press conference, Prodi said he discussed human rights with Ben Ali. Prodi noted that, after Europe, the Mediterranean was the most important region in Italian foreign policy. Michele Cecchi, First Secretary at the Italian Embassy in Tunis, highlighted to PolOff that Rome is the closest capital to Tunis and said that the issue of illegal migration was a bilateral issue regularly discussed. (NOTE: There is a limited Italian work visa program for Tunisians to combat illegal migrants. END NOTE.) ¶3. (C) REGIONAL ISSUES: While Cecchi told PolOff the visit was largely focused on bilateral issues, Prodi told the Tunisian press that he considered his visit tantamount to Italy's "regaining esteem in the Arab world". Prodi said his position regarding the withdrawal of Italian troops from Iraq remained the same and that the withdrawal would take until the end of this year. According to press reports, Prodi added that he is not "tied to the American agenda". ¶4. (C) CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC TIES: During his visit, Prodi also inaugurated a new Italian cultural center in Tunis and discussed educational cooperation with Ben Ali. Prodi told the local press that over 2500 Italian students study at six Tunisian universities and 3000 Italians study at local institutes. Prodi also discussed economic cooperation with Ben Ali, including support for small and medium enterprises and investment in an electricity project. ¶5. (C) COMMENT. While it is positive that Prodi raised human rights with Ben Ali, given Italy's proximity and the illegal immigration problem, the visit largely focused on economic cooperation and integration. It is unlikely that Italy will become a strong supporter of USG efforts to encourage freedom of expression and assembly in Tunisia. END COMMENT. BALLARD