Algerian Foreign Minister Praises Security Cooperation with Tunisia

Algiers, Aug 7 (KUNA) -- Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf reaffirmed on Wednesday his country’s full readiness to continue working with Tunisia to implement the outcomes of the Algerian-Tunisian Follow-up Committee meeting and translate them into concrete projects, praising the security cooperation existing between the two countries.

This came during Attaf’s speech at the opening of the Follow-up Committee meeting to evaluate the recommendations of the 23rd session of the Algerian-Tunisian Joint High Committee for Cooperation. He emphasized “Algeria’s full readiness to continue working hand in hand with the sister Republic of Tunisia in a spirit of brotherhood, sincerity of will, and shared destiny, in order to implement the outcomes of this meeting.”

Attaf added that “the Algerian-Tunisian Follow-up Committee derives its importance from the special attention afforded by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and his counterpart, President Kais Saied, to bilateral relations, and their commitment to elevating them to the level of a model strategic partnership.”

He also highlighted “the pivotal role of the committee in monitoring the implementation of the outcomes of the Joint High Committee, evaluating the level of achievement, overcoming difficulties, and correcting imbalances, thereby ensuring the optimal execution of joint commitments. Furthermore, it serves as a permanent institutional framework for monitoring the implementation of these commitments, transitioning bilateral relations from managing files to executing projects, and from sectoral cooperation to comprehensive partnership.”

He praised “the security cooperation between the institutions of both countries,” considering it “one of the most successful models of bilateral cooperation, given its role in enhancing border security, ensuring the smooth movement of citizens, and combating terrorism, organized crime, smuggling, and irregular migration.”

He stressed that the development of border regions remains a priority for both countries, as it constitutes a fundamental entry point for strengthening local development and economic integration. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress made in this field and his anticipation of completing the agreed-upon projects and implementing them on the ground.

Regarding the agreements signed during the previous session of the Joint High Committee, the minister highlighted “the progress achieved in completing the necessary legal procedures for their entry into force,” noting that “out of 26 cooperation agreements, only two remain to complete their ratification procedures, reflecting the shared will to strengthen the legal framework governing bilateral relations.”

With regard to sectoral cooperation, Attaf called for “continuing efforts to activate various signed agreements and accelerating the implementation of recommendations of the joint technical committees, in line with the positive momentum characterizing relations between the two countries, and translating the shared political will into concrete projects and achievements.”

On the economic front, the Algerian minister commended “the investment projects achieved and the increase in trade volume between the two countries, which is expected to exceed three billion dollars, as well as the success of cooperation in the energy sector.” He affirmed that the capacities available in Algeria and Tunisia allow reaching higher levels of economic and investment partnership.

In this context, he called for “giving economic cooperation new momentum by consolidating a culture of initiative, overcoming bureaucratic constraints, removing obstacles hindering investments and trade, and adopting a methodology based on defining objectives, deadlines, and performance indicators, enabling the evaluation of results and enhancing a culture of achievement.”

The meeting of the Follow-up Committee to evaluate the recommendations of the 23rd session of the Algerian-Tunisian Joint High Committee for Cooperation began on Wednesday afternoon in Algiers, chaired by Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and his Tunisian counterpart, Mohamed Ali Nafti.

This meeting falls within the framework of consultation and coordination mechanisms between Algeria and Tunisia, aimed at monitoring joint cooperation files and strengthening bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries. (End) M.R. / M.A. H.A.