Malta stands by Tunisia in opening new chapter of stability and growth

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Vella this morning held official talks with Tunisian Foreign Affairs Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui. The two reaffirmed the strong and historical ties between Malta and Tunisia and agreed on the need to enhance the natural link that exists between the two countries.

Vella expressed Malta’s full support to Tunisia as it undergoes wide-ranging reforms.

Jhinaoui expressed his appreciation for the consistent support that Malta expresses to Tunisia on all fronts. The Tunisian Foreign Minister also underlined the challenges being faced in relation to unemployment with particular reference to youth, the economic situation and the consequences of terrorist attacks in his country.

Jhinaoui pointed out that this was one of the very first bilateral visits he is conducting in Europe and is meant to reiterate the importance that Tunisia attaches to the deepening of relations with Malta.

The meeting resulted in an agreement to reconvene the Malta-Tunisia Joint Commission later on this year. The latest session of the Joint Commission was hosted by Tunisia in 2012. 

In sign of Malta’s solidarity with the Tunisian people, Minister Vella announced that the Maltese Government will be offering a scholarship for a Master of Arts in Humanitarian Action at the University of Malta for the coming academic year. 

Malta will also offer training in the English language for a number of Tunisian civil servants, as well as training in the field of Border Management.

The two Ministers agreed to increase the frequency of bilateral exchanges between Malta and Tunisia on the margins of international and regional fora such as the 5+5 Dialogue and the UN General Assembly in order to discuss issues of mutual and common interest. 

Vella reiterated his commitment to strengthen these contacts, not only on the bilateral front, but also in the European Union, particularly during the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2017. 

The two ministers also had discussions on regional issues especially Libya and the Middle East, besides sharing assessments and opinions on the functioning of organisations such as the League of Arab States, the 5+5, and the Union for the Mediterranean.