Tunisia summons EU ambassador over diplomatic breach

Tunisian President Kais Saied summoned the European Union’s ambassador on Wednesday to express a “firmly toned protest” regarding a perceived breach of diplomatic protocol, the presidency said.

The ambassador, Giuseppe Perrone, recently met with the leaders of Tunisia’s prominent UGTT labour union and the UTICA employers’ union, both co-winners of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize for their role in supporting Tunisia’s democratic transition.

Saied’s office stated that the president reminded the ambassador that accredited envoys must respect Tunisia’s sovereignty and follow official channels when engaging with domestic organisations. The statement did not provide specific details on what prompted the protest.

A European Commission spokesperson, Anouar el-Anouni, said the EU “takes note of the messages transmitted by President Saied” and emphasised that diplomatic dialogue with civil society is a normal and constructive part of international relations.

Tunisia has faced growing public protests in recent weeks, with doctors, activists, and citizens demanding greater social justice. Saied’s government has tightened control over rights and freedoms, framing its actions as necessary to combat corruption and national security threats.

The EU envoy’s meetings this week included a session with UGTT leader Noureddine Taboubi to mark three decades of EU-Tunisia cooperation, where discussions focused on employment, vocational training, and economic reforms. Perrone also met with UTICA head Samir Majoul to discuss economic challenges facing Tunisian industries.

Both UGTT and UTICA remain central actors in Tunisia’s civil society and have been pivotal in national dialogue efforts since the 2011 Arab Spring.

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