Tunisian President Affirms Joint Keenness on Enhancing Cooperation in Various Fields

Doha, November 16 (QNA) - HE President of the Republic of Tunisia Kais Saied underlined that there is a strong will, a sincere determination and a common desire between the State of Qatar and Tunisia to develop the cooperation between the two countries in various fields and advance it to broader and wider horizons, in light of the strong and distinguished bilateral relations between the two countries. In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of his current visit to the State of Qatar, HE the President of Tunisia said that the State of Qatar and the Republic of Tunisia share a sincere will to develop the brotherly relations and mutual cooperation, noting that his current state visit to Doha comes in this context and in the framework of a series of reciprocal visits between the leaders of the two countries, the most recent of which was the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Tunisia in February. HE the Tunisian President described the session of the talks he held today with HH the Amir as constructive and fruitful, and said that the talks dealt with all issues and topics of common interest and means of further developing the cooperation between the State of Qatar and Tunisia in various fields, as well as the coordination and consultation on various regional and international issues, to complement the continuous communication between the two sides. HE the President reiterated that the two countries are keen on developing the bilateral cooperation in the various fields of economy, sport, trade, politics, science, health and others, noting that the both sides agreed to continue work between the joint specialized committees in this regard. He added that a meeting of the joint committee between the two countries is expected to be held in the first quarter of next year to review the implementation of the numerous agreements concluded between Qatar and Tunisia in the economic and commercial sectors and other vital areas. HE the Tunisian President noted that the talks he held with HH the Amir also covered with a number of issues related to the situation in Tunisia, in addition to the Qatari investments in Tunisia, and the situation in the region, indicating that both sides reviewed a set of ideas and proposals that would contribute to strengthening the mutual cooperation and coordination on issues of common interest and other topics of a regional and international dimension. HE President Kais Saied said that his visit to the State of Qatar also comes within the framework of the keenness to implement the agreements concluded between the two countries, and to discuss new agreements in other areas. In this context, the two sides stressed the importance of working to implement some agreements that have not yet been implemented, and to convene joint committees to accelerate the implementation process. HE the President underlined that the strong bilateral relations and the level of coordination indicate the great rapprochement between the two brotherly countries. He described the Qatari-Tunisian relations as good and fraternal that are confirmed by constant common positions, a reflected in the constantly growing bilateral cooperation and the large Tunisian community working in the State of Qatar in various fields and enjoying all the care and attention of the wise leadership, noting that the number of Tunisians in Qatar is increasing remarkably every year, thanks to the distinguished bilateral relations. His Excellency also praised the support provided by the State of Qatar to Tunisia, and said that he seeks to open new horizons to further support this cooperation between the two countries. In this framework, he noted that an agreement has been reached with the Qatari side on a set of major principles, while the relevant committees will be responsible for taking the decisions that would achieve and implement this persistent and honest will of both sides. In his interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA), HE President of the Republic of Tunisia Kais Saied highlighted the level of coordination between the two countries in various regional and international issues, noting that his talks in Doha touched on the issue of terrorism. HE the President noted a common approach between the two countries in this aspect, noting a joint proposal between Qatar and Tunisia to hold an Islamic-western conference or dialogue aimed at achieving more understanding and overcoming obstacles caused by the terrorist operations carried out by extremist parties. He added that this proposal has still been considered by Qatar, Tunisia and a number of other countries, and it also seeks to highlight the necessity to differentiate between Islam and its true purposes and terrorism which has absolutely nothing to do with Islam. HE the Tunisian President also noted the coordination and rapprochement between the State of Qatar and Tunisia on regional issues, such as the situation in Libya. He said that the solution to the Libyan crisis, which he called for a year ago, must be within the Libyan people themselves, and this has crystallized after the ceasefire agreement and the dialogues taking place in Tunisia to reach an agreement between all the parties. In his interview with QNA, HE the President also shed light on the Palestinian cause and affirmed that it will always be a central issue even if many tried "unsuccessfully" to remove it from the circle of concern of the Arab citizen, stressing that the Palestinian issue will remain a central core issue for the Arab and Islamic nations. Regarding some Arab countries' normalization with Israel, HE the Tunisian President said, "I do not agree with the term normalization. It is a word that did not exist previously and appeared only after the signing of the Camp David Accords." "We do not interfere in the affairs of states, but for me, the Palestinian cause is a central issue, even if many try unsuccessfully to remove it from the circle of concern of the Arab citizen. It will remain the central core issue of the Arab and the Islamic nations," HE the President added. On Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup, HE the President of Tunisia expressed pride that an Arab country would host this major global event for the first time, saying, "Winning the organization of the World Cup in an Arab country was not an easy thing at all, and a number of Arab countries tried to win the World Cup before but they were not able to so, therefore it is an honor for all of us that Qatar will host the World Cup." In this context, HE President Kais Saied affirmed Tunisia's readiness to contribute to the event through the cooperation in the field of sports and the experiences it has in this area, stressing the sincere will and firm determination to make success of this global event that is organized in an Arab country for the first time. (QNA)