(TAP) – New Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tunis, Pilar Morales Shaw, reiterated the Council’s readiness to put its expertise in the service of the political and development process in Tunisia.

Received on Friday by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Othman Jerandi, the European official announced a forthcoming visit to Tunisia by the President of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) of the Council of Europe, a statement from the department said.

She also said she was “confident in Tunisia’s ability to pass this sensitive stage, to consolidate the democratic process and to achieve the transition in the best conditions”.

For his part, Jerandi reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to the democratic choice, indicating that the country is currently living at the pace of a reform process that will lead to a solid democracy, in line with the aspirations of Tunisians.

The minister also thanked the Council of Europe for its support to Tunisia in this exceptional situation that the country and the world are experiencing, welcoming the solid partnership established between Tunisia and the Council of Europe.

A memorandum of understanding was signed in early 2013, under which a Council of Europe office was opened in Tunisia, the first of its kind outside the European grouping.

The Venice Commission, a body dealing with human rights in the European area, was established in 1990.

Although it only issues non-binding recommendations, it is a legal instrument of Europe.

The Commission has in the past issued observations and legal opinions on draft laws in Tunisia as well as on the various drafts of the 2014 Constitution.

Source: TAP News Agency