Tunisia: End of the mission of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belgium and Portugal on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal, João Gomes Cravinho, visited Tunisia on behalf of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, and the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU), on May 9 and 10.

During their visit, the two Ministers had the opportunity to exchange in an open, frank and constructive spirit with H.E. Mr. Kais Saïed, President of the Republic of Tunisia, on the political, economic and social situation in the country.

Ministers Lahbib and Cravinho also held a working meeting with their Tunisian counterpart, Mr. Nabil Ammar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad.

During these meetings, both Ministers confirmed their commitment to the partnership between the European Union and Tunisia, including the values and principles that are at the core of it.

The Portuguese Minister, João Gomes Cravinho, emphasized ""the fruitful dialogue with the Tunisian authorities. New paths for deepening the relationship between the EU and Tunisia were discussed, both in the short and long term, based on the spirit of partnership and fundamental principles.”

The Belgian Minister, Hadja Lahbib, said: "We were able to review the state of our relations, the richness of our many partnerships, the long history that unites us. It is on this solid basis that we addressed the political, socio-economic, financial and migration challenges. Our mission was also an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values of democracy, the rule of law and human rights that underpin Tunisian-European relations. Fundamentals that must guide us to face the future together.”

After their exchanges with the Tunisian authorities, the Belgian and Portuguese ministers met with representatives of Tunisian civil society.

The Ministers will present, as soon as possible, the conclusions of this mission to their colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council.

Tunis, 11 May 2023