Tunisia's President Kais Saied has summoned the European Union's ambassador to convey a strongly worded protest over an alleged breach of diplomatic protocol, the presidency said on Wednesday.
Ambassador Giuseppe Perrone was called to meet with Saied after holding talks with the heads of Tunisia's influential UGTT labour union and the main employers' union UTICA. Both organisations, along with two other Tunisian groups, won the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their role in building the country's democracy.
The presidency's statement said Saied reminded the ambassador that accredited envoys must respect Tunisia's sovereignty and follow official channels in their contacts. It did not specify what exactly prompted the reprimand.
European Commission spokesperson Anouar el-Anouni said the EU "takes note of the messages transmitted by President Saied" to the ambassador, adding that it is normal for diplomats to engage with a broad range of interlocutors, including civil society members who can reinforce bilateral cooperation.
The meeting comes amid growing protests in Tunisia over social justice issues and an escalating crackdown on rights and freedoms under Saied, who frames his actions as a war against corruption and national security threats. Relations between the president and major civil society groups have become increasingly strained.
Perrone's meeting with UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi marked 30 years of EU-Tunisia cooperation, while his meeting with UTICA leader Samir Majoul focused on economic ties and challenges facing Tunisian industries.
