Kuwait, Tunisia strengthen ties with new agreements

Kuwait: Kuwait and Tunisia signed a series of agreements on Wednesday to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements were finalized during the fourth session of the Kuwaiti-Tunisian Joint Committee, held in Tunis. The Kuwaiti delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, while the Tunisian side was headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Nafti.

The three-day meetings covered a broad range of topics, resulting in agreements focused on economic, investment, energy, and development cooperation. Executive programs were also finalized for a variety of sectors, including sports (2024-2027), standardization (2025-2027), industrial export development (2025-2026), industrial cooperation (2025-2027), and tourism (2025-2027).

In addition, the agreements included memoranda of understanding in areas such as environmental protection and meteorology. There were also agreements on labor exchange in the private sector, and cultural and artistic collaboration.

A significant air services agreement between Kuwait and Tunisia was also part of the discussions. Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Humoud Mubarak Al-Humoud Al-Sabah and Tunisian Civil Aviation Director General Nidal Suwailem signed an agreement to improve air transport between the two countries, making travel more convenient for passengers. The two nations formalized their collaboration by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance their airlines’ operational capacity. The MoU includes a thorough update of technical arrangements to promote more efficient and coordinated operations between the airlines of both countries

Minister Al-Yahya emphasized that the agreements reflect the strong commitment of both countries to deepen their partnership. He highlighted the leadership of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and Tunisian President Kais Saied in shaping a shared vision for future cooperation. Minister Al-Yahya also underscored Kuwait’s continued support for Tunisia’s development, especially through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), which has been a key player in financing development projects in Tunisia for many years.

Furthermore, Minister Al-Yahya noted Kuwait’s early investment in Tunisia, beginning with the establishment of Ekuity Capital (formerly the Tunisian-Kuwaiti Consortium of Development) in 1976. Today, Ekuity Capital invests in a range of sectors, including retail, technology, healthcare, and real estate.

Both ministers reiterated their mutual position on the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and emphasized the importance of a lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue. Tunisian Minister Nafti said his country was eager to expand its cooperation with Kuwait, praising Kuwait’s leadership and its role in supporting Tunisia’s development. He also voiced hope for increased collaboration in various sectors, including food security, healthcare, and tourism. He stressed the importance of enhancing technical cooperation, particularly in education, higher education, and the judiciary, to benefit both nations.

President Kais Saied, in a statement on Wednesday, expressed his pride in the strong relationship between Tunisia and Kuwait. He reaffirmed Tunisia’s commitment to implementing a new wave of projects and cooperation programs in partnership with Kuwait, aimed at fostering mutual prosperity and advancing shared interests.