Bin Ali hopes for a strategic partnership with Washington

The Tunisian President Zine al-Abidin Ben Ali extended a message to his American counterpart George W. Bush on the occasion of the US national Day in which he expressed the hope to elevate relations between the two countries to "a strategic partnership level."

The Tunisian president said in his message " we are determined to continue dialogue and consultations on means of strengthening the two countries participation in establishing peace and stability in the Middle East region and the world." The Tunisian President expressed his great satisfaction over the solid friendship and co-operation relations between Tunis and Washington.

He also expressed the hope to strengthen these relations " to upgrade it to the level of strategic partnership that reflect common commitment to the values of freedom, democracy, justice and tolerance."