Tunisia and Egypt are seeking to elevate their economic and security cooperation, reports said on Wednesday.
The 18th session of the High Joint Commission is taking place in Cairo from September 8 to 11 to lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership and translate their shared goals into action.
The commission is co-chaired by Tunisian Prime Minister Sarra Zaafrani Zanzari and Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli. The meeting brings together ministers and senior officials from both countries, with the goal of signing agreements in several key areas, including:
he countries aim to quickly double their annual trade volume from €470 million to nearly €1 billion. A direct shipping line between Tunis and Cairo is one of the key projects being considered to boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges. The partnership will also focus on social development and exchanges. Agreements are expected to foster collaboration in diplomatic training and science.
Egyptian Ambassador to Tunis, Bassem Hassan, emphasized the importance of this renewed solidarity, stating that the current regional situation “requires greater solidarity and complementarity to address political and economic challenges.”
In parallel with the official meetings, a Tunisian-Egyptian Business and Investment Forum is bringing together private sector leaders to create new partnerships. Companies from both countries are actively exploring investment opportunities in each other’s markets, leveraging their memberships in free trade zones like the Agadir Agreement and COMESA.
Beyond economic cooperation, security is a major focus for both nations. The two states maintain “very effective” bilateral coordination to address common threats, such as terrorism and regional destabilization. Presidents Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Kais Saied are committed to strengthening this cooperation, with Ambassador Hassan stressing that “without security, there is neither development nor stability.”
MK/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA