Egypt, Tunisia Discuss Strategic Relations

Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Rania Al-Mashat held a meeting with Tunisia’s Ambassador to Cairo, Mohamed Ben Youssef, to address areas of cooperation between Egypt and Tunisia, across different sectors of development, within the framework of the Egyptian-Tunisian joint committee that supports both countries across various fields.

During the meeting, Al-Mashat stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected world economies, especially at the international trade level, and the intra-regional trade between Egypt and Tunisia; as the first wave of the pandemic has impacted foreign trade and logistics services, hence Al Mashat noted the importance of enhancing economic relations between both countries through holding joint trade specialized exhibitions.

Al-Mashat further underscored the importance of empowering businessmen and companies to take part in such exhibitions, and to hold “commercial weeks” for Egypt’s products in Tunisia and likewise for Tunisian products, which increases awareness on exports for both sides.

The Minister noted that the joint committees represent one of the Economic Diplomacy’s tools, through which the Government of Egypt seeks to develop its relations with neighboring countries and explore new areas of cooperation. H.E. further referred to the Ministry’s 2021 Annual Report, which was launched with the participation of all the development partners, the private sector, the civil society, and the parliament. The report details Egypt's relations with bilateral and multilateral development partners over 2021; paving the way for Egypt’s Vision 2030, which also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For his part, Tunisia’s Ambassador to Cairo, Mohamed Ben Youssef, reaffirmed Tunisia’s keenness on enhancing joint strategic cooperation with Egypt. He also applauded Egypt’s experience in achieving development, under the leadership of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, across various sectors, including initiatives and mega projects, such as the New Administrative Capital, which will be a unique model on the regional and global levels.

Ben Youssef further elaborated that the Government of Egypt’s success in cushioning the COVID-19 pandemic without fully locking down is a unique experience that several countries are currently seeking to adopt to maintain the continuity of product and achieve positive growth indicators, especially in the field of exports. Furthermore, he congratulated Egypt for holding the fourth edition of the World Youth Forum (WYF), under the auspices of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, from January 10-13, with the slogan “Back Together”, which witnessed the participation of youth from 196 countries across the world; reflecting the President's keenness on investing in the youth, and believing in their role in achieving development.

It is also worth noting that Egypt and Tunisia have shared strategic relations across different sectors, which was reflected in the visits of both countries’ leaders, as well as holding 16 consecutive sessions as part of the joint higher committee, headed by the two prime ministers, the last of which was the committee held in Cairo in November 2017.

The Ministry of International Cooperation’s 2021 Annual Report titled “Engaging For Impact Towards Our Common Future: International Partnerships for Sustainable Development” detailed that the total development financing secured in 2021 amounts to $10.2 billion, including $8.7 billion directed to public sector development and $1.57 billion directed to private sector development. The report also touched upon the joint committees held in 2021 between Egypt, Jordan, South Sudan, Libya, and Ukraine, as well as the Ministerial coordination meeting held between Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq.