In July Slovakia and the Netherlands assumed patronage roles in Tunisia's transitional processes. The senior advisor to the Secretary for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies at the US Department of State, Tomicah Tilleman, recently met with representatives of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affaires to discuss the significance of Slovakia’s experience in its transition to democracy that could assist emerging democracies in northern Africa, the TASR newswire reported.
During a meeting with journalists Tillemann pointed out the significance of civil society and the pressure which non-governmental organisations can bring to bear and that cooperation with similar organisations at the international level can help establish a democratic society in Tunisia.
Tillemann conceded that there are certain differences between the situation in Slovakia 20 years ago and the emerging democracies in Northern Africa. No fewer than six countries in northern Africa have seen regime changes during this year’s Arab Spring and Tunisia was the first to do so.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.