the Non-Aligned Movement, and partner of the European Union, Tunisia, in preserving its freedom of action and its legitimate national interests under all circumstances, plays a role promoting international relations worthy of all that which makes progress in the world. 553. By entering the major combat for a fairer and more stable new world order, Tunisia contributes to the opening of new perspectives of peace, security and solidarity. It contributes in an innovative and original manner to the solution of the plagues of hunger, under-development, illiteracy, diseases and poverty. 554. As a matter of fact, this policy underscores the imperative strategy imposed by the data of History and Geography which unite the African countries in terms of the construction of an Africa without borders. This is why the Tunisian diplomatic effort is focused, for the most part, on the African Union with the hope that it will one day overcome the economic difficulties which hinder Africa’s progress in terms of development, prosperity and solidarity and the concretization of the aspirations of its peoples to complementarity and unity. 555. Tunisia has urged the international community, at various levels, to work towards the increased sanctioning of the values of harmony, mutual assistance, tolerance, solidarity and cooperation, and to make them one of the foundations of international relations. It has also endeavoured to support the efforts of the United Nations in the combat against the phenomena of extremism, hatred, violence and fanaticism, in all forms. 556. It is indisputable that the initiatives taken by the President Ben Ali at the level of the regional and international organizations explicitly confirm this position which is consubstantial to the past, to the present and to the future of Tunisian diplomacy: to construct bilateral or multilateral relations in order to « serve the causes of peace, justice and freedom » and to « defend the spirit of tolerance and of dialogue ». 557. Tunisia has also supported the request formulated by the African Group aspiring for two permanent seats in the Security Council which are to devolve, as of right, on the Africa region. These two seats would be occupied by the countries of the Continent on a rotational basis while ensuring that the same privileges inherent in the current permanent seats are retained. 558. During its mandate as member of the Security Council (2000-2001), Tunisia participated actively in the consultations between the Member States of the Council and other countries on the subject of the strengthening of international community’s means of action, so as to guarantee their efficiency. These consultations revealed the need for the Council to fully assume its responsibility in the settlement of international problems and underscored the need to reinforce its capacities in peace keeping operations so as to promote conditions favourable for the success of UN missions. 559. Sitting within the Security Council and having had the privilege of chairing this Body, Tunisia endeavoured to have this Council pay greater attention to the problems of the African Continent. It also redoubled efforts in the quest for solutions to just causes first among which is the Palestinian cause. 116