Tunisia Calls in EU Ambassador Over Violation of Diplomatic Protocol
The confrontation follows a Monday meeting between Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone and Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) head Noureddine Taboubi, amid rising tensions between the government and the influential trade union over labor rights and economic reforms. During the talks, Perrone praised the UGTT for “supporting social dialogue and economic development in Tunisia” and emphasized that strengthening ties with the organization was crucial, according to his office.
In a statement released early Wednesday, Saied said he summoned Perrone on Tuesday “regarding the failure to comply with the rules of diplomatic conduct and dealings outside the official frameworks recognized in diplomatic customs” in his role as EU ambassador to Tunisia. The statement did not provide further details about the specific actions that triggered the complaint.
Perrone, an Italian diplomat, has held the position of EU envoy to Tunisia since September 2024. Tunisian authorities have previously challenged EU diplomats; in 2019, then-ambassador Patrice Bergamini was summoned by the Foreign Ministry to respond to remarks he made to a French newspaper regarding entrenched economic monopolies in Tunisia.
The EU is Tunisia’s largest financial partner, having provided nearly €1.8 billion (around $2.0 billion) in funding since 2013. Relations, however, have grown strained since 2023, partly due to a partnership deal in which the EU pledged over €1 billion to support Tunisia’s struggling economy and reduce irregular migration to Europe.
The EU later announced plans to release €127 million in aid, primarily for migration-related initiatives, including assisting the deportation of migrants. President Saied criticized the sum, calling it a “small amount” and asserting that his government would not accept “anything that resembles charity or handouts.”
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