Erdoğan, Essebsi discuss bilateral ties, protests in Tunisia

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Jan. 11 spoke via telephone with Tunisian leaders about protests over rising living costs in the North African country as well as bilateral ties, according to presidential sources.

During the conversations with President Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi and Prime Minister Youssef Chahed, Erdoğan stressed his belief that Tunisia would overcome its problems when it “stands united,” said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Protests have hit several areas of Tunisia in recent days over price hikes and tax increases.

The government is defending the measures as necessary to limit a budget deficit that accounts for six percent of the country’s GDP.

Conveying his thanks over the hospitality during his last visit to Tunisia, Erdogan also said the country’s gains following the Jasmine Revolution should not be harmed.

Tunisia was the last stop on Erdogan’s three-nation African tour that also included Sudan and Chad in December 2017.

The three leaders also voiced their intent to further improve bilateral ties in every area.