The president of Tunisia has signed several agreements to strengthen economic and security cooperation with France.
President Beji Caid Essebsi is in Paris on a two-day state visit at the invitation of his French counterpart Francois Hollande.
Essebsi later addressed the Senate in the French capital calling for further cooperation in other areas, including the fight against extremism. Both France and Tunisia were targeted by extremist attacks this year.
“We call for a proactive exchange policy for partnerships and investments,” Essebsi said. “We call for the establishment with our partners of a permanent framework for reflection and the establishment of a foundation promoting integration between Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean.”
Essebsi visit comes after Tunisia’s worst attack: the storming of the National Bardo Museum during which 21 people were killed.
Ten days after the attack, the French president attended a rally in Tunis to show his solidarity in the fight against terrorism.
By Keith Walker
[This story has been edited from the source material.]
