Tunisia protests blew wind of change through North Africa; photo - EPA

Lech Walesa and a delegation from Poland’s Foreign Ministry are travelling to Tunisia today to “pass on experience of Poland‘s democratic transition,” says a ministry spokesman.

“The purpose of the mission is to pass on Polish experiences of democratic transition - the road that now passes through Tunisia, from dictatorship to democracy,” said the Foreign Ministry’s Marcin Bosacki.

Protests in Tunisia against the 23-year rule of President Ben Ali sparked off demonstrations across the Middle East in what many are calling the Arab Spring. The Polish delegates are hoping that the experience of democratic change in Poland following the Round Table talks of 1989, which ended communist rule, will be of benefit to Tunisians.

During the two-day stay in North Africa, Lech Walesa will take part in an international forum attended by interim President Fuad Mebazaa, representatives of the Arab League and NGOs.

Poland’s delegation also includes Deputy Foreign Minister Krzysztof Stanowski, director of the State Institute of International Affairs Marcin Zaborowski, and MP Pawel Kowal.

Elections are planned for the end of July in Tunisia. (pg)


Related audio: Walesa to guide Tunisia to democracy , thenews.pl 18.04.2011