President El-Sisi Meets Tunisia’s Prime Minister in Paris

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mrs. Najla Bouden, on the sidelines of the International Conference on Libya, which is held in the French capital, Paris.

The Spokesman for the Presidency said the President asked for his greetings to be conveyed to his brother Tunisian President Kais Saied. The President also congratulated Mrs. Bouden on her new post as the first female prime minister in the Arab world, wishing her government success in overcoming the various current challenges facing Tunisia.

President El-Sisi underscored Egypt’s full support to Tunisia and to efforts exerted by President Saied and the new government to realize stability, construction and development for the benefit of the Tunisian people. The President confirmed Egypt’s preparedness to provide all capabilities possible in this regard and to strengthen bilateral cooperation, solidifying the historic and brotherly relations between the two sides. This comes within the framework of Egypt’s firm policy seeking cooperation, construction, and development among the brothers.

Tunisia’s Prime Minister conveyed to President El-Sisi the greetings of President Saied. She expressed her appreciation for Egypt’s efforts in support of Tunisia and for its vital role in preserving security and stability in its Arab and African surrounding. She asserted that Tunisia values the firm and outstanding relations it shares with Egypt, at both the official and popular levels. Prime Minister Bouden also stressed her country’s interest to benefit from Egypt’s success story under the inspiring leadership of President El-Sisi, including transferring its developmental experience through intensive bilateral cooperation in all areas, particularly the economic and security fields.

The Spokesman added that the meeting tackled prospects of bilateral relations between Egypt and Tunisia. The two sides confirmed a joint political will and desire to enhance frameworks of cooperation and promote the joint channels of communication, particularly at the political and security levels and in the exchange of information in the fight against terrorism and extremist ideology which poses threat to the entire region.

The meeting also focused on developments in a multitude of regional issues of mutual concern, particularly the situation in Libya. There was an alignment in views in this regard on the importance of bolstering the relevant Egyptian-Tunisian coordination frameworks, given the fact that Egypt and Tunisia are direct neighboring countries which share long borders with Libya. This is in addition to Tunisia’s current membership of the UN Security Council and Egypt’s active role across the various paths for settling the crisis. This aims to achieve a prime goal which is reinforcing the will of the Libyan people by supporting Libya’s institutions as well as efforts underway to achieve security and stability and maintain Libya’s unity and sovereignty. This shall take place through the implementation of the relevant UN and international resolutions, including the holding of elections on time and without delay in December and the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.

The talks also touched on developments in the Renaissance Dam dossier. President El-Sisi expressed appreciation for Tunisia’s stance in support of Egypt’s position, insisting on a comprehensive and legally-binding agreement on the rules of the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam, which was reflected in the Presidential Statement issued by the UN Security Council.