South Africa and Tunisia on Friday held political consultations in Pretoria, with both countries calling for increased cooperation in a range of areas, including economic, security, health, science and technology.
South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor hosted her Tunisian counterpart, Nabil Ammar, for the talks. Pandor said that the two countries should increase their political consultations to ensure a “robust and dynamic utilisation of opportunities” that exist between them.
Ammar said that Tunisia was committed to strengthening its relations with South Africa, and that the two countries had a “shared vision” for the future of Africa.
The two ministers also discussed the need to revitalize the Joint Bilateral Commission for Cooperation (JBCC), which was established in 1996 but has not met since 2008. Pandor said that she hoped that officials from both countries would work hard to develop concrete programmes of cooperation.
Pandor also expressed her interest in strengthening cooperation between the two countries’ business sectors, as well as in skills training and development. She also welcomed Tunisia’s interest in establishing a business forum with South Africa.
The two ministers also discussed their shared commitment to Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Pandor said that South Africa was “absolutely committed” to working with Tunisia to achieve the goals of these initiatives.
