November 6, 1975. In the center of Tunis, under the lovely autumn sun, Avenue Bourguiba was dotted with flags, barriers, pandores and banners. An official visit of size: the eighty-nine meter of VGE. Hand in hand, each in a dark suit, standing in the back of Habib Bourguiba’s presidential car, the French head of state plunges into a cordial walkabout, organized what is needed with his share of smiling and native children who have been asked to be delighted. He responds to the cheers of the crowd with hand gestures and a collarless smile.
The Tunisian president, his irremediable dark glasses screwed to the face, receives France. In the then Maghreb, the man of Carthage is a voice heard in the Arab world, he has the wisdom of the venerable, he is shown respect. When Franco-Algerian relations fall under the cactus, Tunis remains a capital with which Paris has little friction. The father of independence does not monetize the past, but performs a booster shot if necessary.
VGE’s files are those of today
These are not the first steps of VGE president in North Africa. He booked his first visit to Algiers and then went to Morocco to visit Hassan II. Of course, the French president has already made a stopover in Tunis, it was in 1973, a year before his election; he was Minister of Economy and Finance. VGE in Tunis, it is not either a courtesy visit, it is twenty years that a French president did not come on an official visit. Bourguiba recalls this, for the record. Giscard will travel to the south, with Prime Minister Hédi Nouira. The island of Djerba then Gabès to visit the facilities of the Maghrebian chemical industries (phosphates). He went to the lands of his counterpart, his stronghold, his native town of Monastir. It is a bit like the Chamalières of Habib Bourguiba. The subjects discussed in 1975 in Tunis have many points in common with those of 2020: immigration, economic cooperation, negotiations with the EEC (European Economic Community, the then EU) Libya, the strong tensions in the Mediterranean.
Tunisia asks France to make an economic effort (this will be the financing of a major project), to support it in its negotiations with the EEC so that the trade balance is balanced. On regional and diplomatic issues, the shadow of Tripoli hangs over. The neighboring country, Libya, has been living for six years under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi whose ardor must be contained. This ambitious youngster overthrew the monarchy and thinks big, very big. His ambition does not seem to know borders. A union project between Tunisia and Libya exists on paper. “A view of the mind,” Habib Bourguiba snapped, suggesting that only Gaddafi has the megalomania necessary to believe in it. Another issue that resonates with the present: the North-South dialogue, the role of the Mediterranean countries, “making this area more peaceful”, ensuring that its security is above all the responsibility of those who border it. A simple story that this official trip. The Maghreb was an important region: hardly elected president, Giscard will visit Algiers, Rabat and Tunis in his first year.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
