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FOREIGN POLICY
Peacemaking
Tunisia has consistently pursued a balanced policy of openness and
moderation in its international relations. It has always endeavored to promote a comprehensive and peaceful settlement
of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which ensures a just and lasting peace in the region. Within this framework, Tunisia
took part in the Madrid Conference and has fully supported the Middle East Peace Process by actively participating
in its multilateral track and contributing to the realization to the Palestinian-Israeli agreements. It has advocated
peaceful settlement of conflicts around the world, especially in Africa.
Peacekeeping
Tunisia has participated in various humanitarian relief and peacekeeping
operations around the world since the 1960's. More recently it has dispatched hundreds of peacekeepers to Cambodia,
Namibia, Rwanda and Burundi.
The Mediterranean
Tunisia places particular importance on economic integration and
cooperation with the countries of the Maghreb and between the two flanks of the Mediterranean. President Ben Ali
has advocated a relationship of co-development and interdependence between the European Community and the southern
flank of the Mediterranean. On July 17, 1995, Tunisia was the first country South of the Mediterranean to sign
an agreement of association with the European Union. On July 19, 1995, eleven countries took part in a regional
meeting held in the Tunisian city of Tabarka with the aim of laying the ground for the Euro-Mediterranean Conference
of Barcelona (November 1995.) The ancient Tunisian city of Carthage hosted on April 21-22, 1995, a Symposium on
the Teaching of Tolerance in the Mediterranean. Participants adopted a major document, known as the "Carthage Charter on Tolerance in the Mediterranean."
Tunisia advocates international relations based on cooperation and mutual help. In 1999, President Ben Ali called
for the creation of a World Solidarity Fund. His initiative was unanimously adopted by the U.N General Assembly
in the year 2002 ( www.solidarity-fund.org)
Relations with the US
Relations between Tunisia and the United States date back to the
eighteenth century when Tunisia signed a treaty of friendship with the young American republic. Strong ties of
cooperation were developed between both countries since Tunisia's independence in 1956. The two nations maintain
today close relations of friendship and cooperation. President Ben Ali last visited the United States in February
2004.
See History of Tunisian American Relations.
Hosting international events : Tunisia hosted the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), in November 2005. It also hosted the
Summit of Arab States, in May 2004, and the Organization of Africain Unity Summit in 1994.
Tunisia's Stand against Terrorism
Tunisia has consistently condemned extremism and terrorism in all its manifestations.
See also: President Zine ElAbidine Ben Ali at the opening of the International
Conference on “Terrorism : Dimensions, Threats and Countermeasures”
( Carthage , November 15, 2007)
International Organizations
Tunisia is a member of various international and regional organizations including the United Nations, the League
of Arab States, the Arab Maghreb Union, the Organization of African Unity and the Islamic Conference Organization.
In all such fora, Tunisia has advocated peaceful settlement of conflicts, tolerance and dialogue.
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
at the closing of the annual conference of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions (10 August 2006)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the closing
of the annual conference of the Heads of Diplomatic and Consular missions (8
August 2005)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the closing
of the annual conference of the Heads of Diplomatic and Consular missions (6
August 2004)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (15 January 2004)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members
of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (23 January 2003)
Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali before the members
of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Tunis (15 January 2002)
Foreign Policy Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
(29 January 2001)
Foreign Policy Speech by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
(27 January 2000)
Adress by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the
Ceremony for the Accreditation of New Foreign Ambassadors (13 January 2000)
Speech by President Ben Ali at the closing of the annual conference
of the heads of diplomatic and consular missions (25 August 99)
Speech by President Ben Ali on the opning
of the International Conference on Terrorism in Tunis
( 15 november 2007).
Foreign Policy Speech by President Ben Ali (28 January 99)
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