The Minister of National Defense, Khaled Sehili, received the Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia, Alexandre Bilodeaufor an interview devoted to the state of bilateral relations and the prospects for military cooperation. The discussions focused on expanding the partnership to new strategic and development areas.
Tunisian-Canadian relations and ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries were at the center of a meeting held at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Defense. The meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of existing mechanisms and examine avenues likely to give new impetus to this partnership.
Towards a legal framework strengthening military cooperation
The Minister of National Defense welcomed the quality of friendly relations between Tunisia and Canada, stressing the need to raise military cooperation to the same level as bilateral cooperation in other sectors. He insisted on the importance of establishing a structured legal framework, intended to organize and strengthen this partnership on a sustainable basis.
Khaled Sehili called for an extension of military cooperation to several areas considered priorities, including military health, search and rescue at sea, the fight against irregular migration, cross-border crime, human trafficking as well as cybersecurity, considered a growing issue for defense institutions.
Support for development projects in the Saharan regions
During the interview, the minister also highlighted the importance of supporting pilot development projects with an economic and social dimension, particularly in the interior and Saharan regions. He cited, in this regard, the experiences carried out by the national army in Rejim Maatoug and El Mohdith, in the delegation of El Faouar (governorate of Kébili).
According to him, these projects contribute to the revitalization of Saharan zones, the development of water resources, the revitalization of commercial activities and the creation of jobs, thus improving the living conditions of local populations.
Ottawa willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation
For his part, the Canadian ambassador, recently accredited to Tunisia, praised the solidity of relations between the two countries and the role of Tunisia as a factor of regional stability. He expressed his country’s readiness to raise the level of military cooperation, in a spirit of mutual respect and shared interest.
Alexandre Bilodeau had handed over a figurative copy of his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, officially marking the start of his diplomatic mission in Tunisia.
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