Egypt, Tunisia condemn Israeli practices against defenseless Palestinians
Tunisia-Egypt, Politics, 4/30/2001

Egyptian Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said that he conveyed a verbal message from President Hosni Mubarak to Tunisian President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali.

In statements following his meeting with the Tunisian President on Saturday, Ebeid said that the message deals with the situation in the Middle East area.

He expressed hope that a just peace would be achieved in the Palestinian people are in need of protection and care, he added.

"He also conveyed to President Ben Ali President Mubarak's greetings and appreciation for the role played by Tunisia in regional and international forums," he said.

"The Tunisian President approved the strategic cooperation program agreed upon during the meetings of the joint higher committee," he said.

"He called for expanding such cooperation in the fields of modernizing agencies operating in the industrial, agricultural and tourist production sectors," said Ebeid.

During his meeting with Ebeid, President Ben Ali underlined the importance of exchanging expertise in the field of privatization as well as cooperating in upgrading the performance of public utilities.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian-Tunisian higher committee condemned, in its final communique, the Israeli practices, mounting escalation and coercive measures against defenseless Palestinians.

The two countries pressed for an immediate halt of violence and return to negotiations from where they broke off on the basis of international legitimacy resolutions.

The committee lauded President Hosni Mubarak's latest visit to Tunisia and his talks with President Zine Al-Abidine Ben Ali.

It also welcomed the positive outcome and recommendations of the follow-up and political consultation committee, convened in Cairo on March 10-11.

The Egyptian side commended the efforts exerted by Ben Ali to activate the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) organizations while the Tunisian one welcome Egypt's bid to join AMU.

The two sides underlined the importance to convocate the Arab economic conference in Cairo in November.

The committee called for activating especially in the fields of construction, insurance, tourism and transport.

In the investment domain, the committee urged, in its final communique released in Cairo and tunes at the same time, participation in tenders on investment projects in the field of infrastructure, roads, seaports and airports.

The two countries agreed to prepare an annual executive program for rehabilitation and industrial modernization to capitalize on each other's expertise.

The committee called for setting up a joint technical panel to activate the cooperation protocol signed by the two countries' industry ministries.

Taking up tourism, the committee encouraged businessmen and investors to establish joint ventures in both countries.

The Egyptian sides expressed readiness to rent some Egyptian ships to Tunisia in coordination with the companies concerned.

The two sides welcomed the signing of an executive programme for cooperation between Tunis-Afrique news agency and the Middle East news agency.

The committee also welcomed the participation of the Tunisian first lady in the Arab women summit, recently held in Cairo under Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak, head of the Egyptian National Council for Women.

On consular and judicial cooperation, the committee commended the facilities offered by the Egyptian side with regard to settling the conditions of the Tunisian community in Egypt.

The Egyptian -Tunisian higher committee decided to convene its tenth session in Cairo during the first half of 2002.

Previous Stories:
  Egyptian-Tunisian Higher committee concludes meetings, ten agreements signed   (4/28/2001)
  Egyptian prime minister in Tunisia   (4/27/2001)
  The Egyptian- Tunisia higher committee   (4/23/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search