Juppe hails new France-Tunisia relations

France's foreign minister Alain Juppe said on Thursday during his visit to Tunisia that France will support Tunisia in its democratic transition, calling to open a new page in France-Tunisia relations, which were faded after Ben Ali’s regime. Speaking to reporters during a press conference after a meeting with the Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, Juppe said “we fully support the democratic process in Tunisia, as it respects the human and women's rights,” asserting that Tunisia will be the role model of other Arab-Muslim countries. He added "We have decided to turn our friendship with Tunisia into a really equal partnership.” Juppe’s two-day tour of Tunisia is the first high-level visit by a Western official to  the country since the formation of its new government following the victory of moderate Islamist party in October's election. The speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) Mustapha Ben Jaafar stressed, at a meeting with Juppe the major role of France in supporting efforts of the legitimately elected institutions in Tunisia to establish balanced relations as part of a win-win partnership for the two sides. According to a statement issued by the National Constituent Assembly, Ben Jaafar discussed with Juppe the aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries and means of enhancing it in the framework of a partnership, which supports Tunisia's democratic transition process. For his part, Ben Jaafar suggested the launching of a tripartite development program between France, Tunisia and Libya