Qatari-Tunisian Talks

Tunis, January 13 (QNA) - Official talks were held at the Tunisian government Headquarters, in the Tunisian capital this evening between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Tunisia, chaired by HH the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani and Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Al Jebali . The talks were attended by Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Emir. On the Tunisian side a number of Ministers and senior officials attended the session. Talks during the meeting dealt with means to strengthen and develop the brotherly relations between the two countries in various fields as well as a number of regional and international issues of common interest. After the meeting, HH the Emir and the Tunisian Prime Minister witnessed the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries. These included an agreement on investing in Tunisian Treasury bonds, a memorandum of understanding to explore the prospects of investment in environmental preservation and supporting the efforts to combat pollution, another MoU between the two governments in the areas of vocational training as well as an MoU for cooperation in the field of oil refining and Natural Gas Network program for Tunisian cities between Qatar Petroleum International (QPI) Company and the Tunisian government, a draft MoU for cooperation between Qatari Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) and the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), and an MoU between Qatar National Bank and the Tunisian Ministry of Finance. An investment agreement to develop a project for equipping the railways station in Soussa as well as the extension of an MoU on the Mahdia Town Project were signed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and the Tunisian government, in addition to a MoU between the Tunisian Ministry of Investment and International Cooperation and the Sheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani Foundation for Humanitarian Services (RAF). Before the official talks, HH the Emir and HE the Tunisian Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting. Following the talks, the Tunisian Prime Minister welcomed HH the Emir to Tunisia. He said that he is holding high hopes that HH the Emir's visit will support Tunisia developmental plan, as well as bilateral relations between the countries' peoples. Jebali expressed his thanks to HH the Emir and the Qatari people for their continuous support to the Tunisia revolution and the Arab spring. He expressed his delight at signing agreements which he described as the basis for enhancing bilateral ties. Jebali expressed his hope at enhancing bilateral cooperation in the future as well, wishing HH the Emir a nice stay on the Tunisian Revolution's first anniversary. For his part, HH the Emir expressed his thanks to Jebali and President Marzoky for their invitation. HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani stressed that bilateral ties are old and strong, saying that he is looking forward to special relations with Tunisia. HH the Emir added that they are fully aware of the latest developments in Tunisia in recent months, adding that Qatar supports any cooperation with an Arab country. HH the Emir added that the Arab world has an "historic" chance, in light of the Arab Spring, to form an entity similar to European Union. HH noted that the Arab League was formed prior to the EU. However, HH the Emir said due to the lack of democracy led to a lack in participation in the decision making, which in turn prevented the Arab League from moving forward. Despite that, HH the Emir said that after the Arab spring, an historic chance has presented itself. HH the Emir said his visit was to congratulate Tunisia on the revolution and to discuss cooperation in various fields. (QNA