Luxembourg has reiterated its support to Tunisia during the visit of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, in Tunis on 2 and 3 May 2016.

During his visit, Minister Asselborn was received by the President of the Tunisian Republic, Béji Caid Essebsi and met with the Head of Government of Tunisia, Jabib Essid, as well as the Minister of Development, Investment and International Cooperation, Yassine Ibrahim, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Selma Rekik, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khemaies Jhinaoui.

The Luxembourg Minister also met with the Luxembourg-Tunisia friendship parliamentary group and a representative of the quartet leading the national dialogue in Tunisia for a democratic transition, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015.

"My visit here in Tunis demonstrates the continued commitment of Luxembourg to support Tunisia, which since its revolution, seeks to consecrate the values of democracy and the rule of law," commented Jean Asselborn during his visit to Tunisia, which marks his third to the country since 2011. He added that "the success of the democratic transition in Tunisia is not only a hope in the Arab world but also beyond."

Discussions between Minister Asselborn and the Tunisian authorities helped address in-depth the latest developments regarding the situation in Tunisia and the challenges faced by the country, particularly in terms of security and youth unemployment.

"Despite the violence, despite terrorism, despite provocations, Tunisia has overcome discord," the Minister continued. "Tunisia has shown that dialogue and respect were the best way to ensure the civil peace and stavility necessary for the revival of economic development."

 

Regarding bilateral relations, Minister Asselborn looked at ways to support the country in its reform and pledged to strengthen the Grand Duchy's cooperation with Tunisia.

Luxembourg currently provides technical assistance to Tunisia in promotin security, transitional justice, technology and microfinance. However, during the visit, the ministers signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on regular political consultations between the two countries to further strengthen relations and give new momentum to cooperation in economic, social and cultural fields. Minister Asselborn also announced that the Benelux prime ministers will conduct a joint visit to Tunis in December 2016.

The Luxembourg and Tunisian figures also reviewed Tunisia's relations with its neighbours and called for the resumption of regional cooperation, with the integration of the Maghreb capable of generating significant momentum in the revival of trade in the North African region.

The dramatic evolution of the armed conflict in Syria and the latest developments in Libya were also discussed. The ministers unanimously emphasised the importance of seeing the Libyan Presidential Council obtain legitimacy to ensure some stability to uphold security in Libya.

Minister Asselborn also used his trip to visit the Bardo Museum which has held countless exhibits from excavations in the country since the nineteenth century, and which was the scene of a deadly attack in spring 2015. There, the Minister paid tribute to the victims of terrorism.

 

Photo by MAEE