Qatar and Tunisia signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding following a round of official talks chaired by HH the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday and Tunisian Premier Hamadi Jebali at the Ministry of Human Rights and Transitional Justice here.

The talks session was attended by the official delegation accompanying the Heir Apparent. A number of Tunisian ministers also attended the talks.

Discussions during the meeting reviewed the bilateral relations and ways of developing them in various areas, particularly the economic and investment fields, as well as a number of regional and international issues of common concern.

After the talks, the Heir Apparent and the Tunisian premier witnessed the signing of a protocol and a number of agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries.

A protocol for cultural co-operation in the restoration, rehabilitation and development of archaeological sites and historical monuments in Tunis, and an MoU on encouraging and protecting mutual investments were signed.

An MoU on the Qatar Development Programme in Tunisia, an MoU on co-operation between Qatar’s Public Prosecution and Tunisian Ministry of Justice, an MoU on Sraouerten Phosphate Project, an MoU for co-operation in oil refining between Qatar Petroleum International and the Tunisian Government, and an MoU for co-operation between Qatar Electricity and Water Company, and Tunisian Company for Electricity and Gas were also signed.

Following the agreement signing ceremony, HH the Heir Apparent and the Tunisian prime minister laid the foundation stone of Omar al-Mukhtar housing project in Sidi Hussein district in Tunis.

Tunisian Minister of Equipment and Housing Mohamed Salman gave speech on the occasion in which he said that the Omar al-Mukhtar housing project, which is funded by Qatar, will provide more than 600 housing units for low-income people with a youth hostel, parks, shops and playgrounds and will benefit all the people of the district. He pointed out that the project will be completed in 2013, adding that the first phase was finished in 2007.

Then, the Heir Apparent and the Tunisian premier laid the foundation stone of the project, marking the start of its construction.

After the foundation stone laying ceremony, the Heir Apparent toured the district and met local people who expressed their thanks and appreciation to him and to the Qatar for the support given to the Tunisian people.

The Heir Apparent hailed the sacrifices made by the Tunisian people to make their revolution a success, and wished them more progress and prosperity.

Later, the Heir Apparent called on Sheikh Rashid al-Ghanoushy, leader of Tunisia’s Al Nahda movement party at his residence in Tunis. Discussions centred on co-operation between the two countries and issues of mutual interest.

Tunisian President Dr Mohamed Moncef Marzouki met the Heir Apparent at the presidential palace of Carthage yesterday evening. They reviewed the existing relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields and discussed a number of regional and international issues.
The Tunisian president hosted a dinner banquet in honour of the Heir Apparent and his accompanying delegation.

Earlier, on arrival on a two-day official visit, the Heir Apparent was received by Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali at Tunis-Carthage International Airport.