Tunisia is seeking help from the European Union to lift its ailing economy, which has seen little improvement in the two years since the start of the Arab uprisings.
The head of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, was quoted by AFP as saying, ““I have the impression (that the authorities) are desperately seeking the economic cooperation that they need to develop their growth potential.”
Adding, “We as Europeans must understand that our economic cooperation with Tunisia should be much stronger.”
The North African country has continued to be blighted by high unemployment after the uprisings which ousted president Ben Ali.
Unemployment and economic struggles were precipitators for the wave of Arab revolt.
In recent month, protests have gained momentum fueled by the perceived lack of action by the government in dealing with high-unemployment.
On Monday, President Moncef Marzouki, attending a memorial event in Sid Bouzid for Mohammed Bouazizi, whose self-immolation sparked the Arab uprisings, was pelted with tomatoes and stones by protesters demanding economic reform and jobs.
