Foreign Minster Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement on the margins of his visit to Madrid today (9 October) in response to the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to the National Dialogue Quartet in Tunisia:

I am very pleased with the decision coming out of Oslo.

Without the concerted, committed and courageous efforts that Tunisia’s organised civil society made for democracy and fundamental rights, looking beyond any other social and political differences, there would have been no chance of transformation and change in Tunisia.

It is thanks to the Dialogue Quartet that developments in Tunisia went so well in spite of all the difficulties and challenges that had to be faced. This will encourage civil society everywhere, but especially in the Arab world, to be active and involved. The dedicated work of the Dialogue Quartet gives one hope and confidence that peaceful change is possible.

Background information:

Germany actively supported the work of the Dialogue Quartet from its beginnings. Foreign Minister Steinmeier met representatives of the Quartet on a visit to Tunisia in April 2014.