Tunisia and the United States Discuss Enhancing Naval Military Cooperation
Tunis, Sept 16 (KUNA) -- Tunisian National Defense Minister Khaled Al-Shehili met on Wednesday with Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, Admiral Jeffrey Anderson, to discuss enhancing naval military cooperation between the two countries in areas of training, capacity building, experience exchange, and joint military exercises.
The Tunisian Ministry of Defense stated in a statement that the meeting addressed expanding cooperation between the two sides in effectively responding to maritime threats, strengthening intelligence, and developing and enhancing the readiness of naval forces.
Minister Al-Shehili emphasized in the statement that the joint cooperation program extends beyond logistical and technical support and enhancing the operational capabilities of the Tunisian army to include training, capacity building, experience exchange, and joint military exercises. He expressed his aspiration to expand this cooperation in effectively responding to maritime threats, given the geopolitical fluctuations in the region that have contributed to the rise and interconnection of challenges and threats, such as terrorism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, smuggling, and drug trafficking.
Al-Shehili affirmed that Tunisia represents a pivotal factor for security and stability in the Mediterranean basin region and is a strategic partner and a platform for cooperation and positive, vital influence in the region, which qualifies it to become a regional hub for military training and capacity building according to reference standards through the Naval Vanguard Excellence Center.
He noted that hosting the new edition of the multilateral naval exercise "Phoenix Express" reflects Tunisia's high capacity to host and lead multinational military activities and its high level of readiness, as well as the operational integration between the Tunisian Navy and the navies participating in the exercise.
For his part, the Commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet praised the military cooperation between the two countries and the competencies and training capabilities of the Tunisian Navy in the field of capacity building, which were evident during Tunisia's hosting of the "Phoenix Express" events for the fifth consecutive year. He expressed the U.S. administration's commitment to continue enhancing and elevating bilateral cooperation and supporting the naval capabilities of the Tunisian army in a manner that serves the interests of both parties and regional security.
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