Press Release  

Pak-Africa Friendship Day was celebrated by the Mission on 26^th June 2021 at the luxurious “4 Seasons” Hotel in the Northern suburbs of Tunis in Gammarth. It was attended by members of the Tunisian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, official guests from the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Municipality of Tunis and Gammarth and civil society and media representatives. Mr. RiadhEssid, Additional Secretary of the America-Asia Pacific Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tunisians Abroad, Republic of Tunisia was the Chief Guest.

In his remarks, the Chief Guest thanked the Pakistani Charge d’ Affairs for inviting him to attend this celebration recalling the valuable support provided by Pakistan for Tunisia’s independence. He further stated that the collaboration between the two countries had been increasing over the last few years. In this context, he pointed out that the 3^rd Session of Bilateral Political Consultations was held in the course of this year while Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Othman Jerandi, would visit Pakistan to co-chair 10^th Session of JMC which is scheduled to be held in Islamabad in October 2021. 

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Shafiq Ahmed, Charge d’ Affaires (a.i.) of Pakistan in Tunisia pointed out that the emphasis of Pakistan’s diplomacy had shifted from geo-politics to geo-economics, noting that the new vision of transformed Pakistan was centered on economic security. He further mentioned that the great potential for economic opportunities in Africa was being tapped through the Government’s Engage Africa Initiative” with a focus on increasing mutual trade, investment and economic interaction with African countries.

He also stated that Pakistan was keen on developing its trade exchanges with Tunisia especially that Pakistan considered Tunisia as a “Gateway to Africa” and was also keen on establishing triangular cooperation schemes between Tunisia-Pakistan and third African countries.

Despite Covid 19, the two-hour event Pak-Africa Friendship Day was acclaimed by the audience as a successful event that raised the awareness of the available potentialities for boosting profitable exchanges between both the countries.

Embassy of Pakistan, Tunis

28^th June 2021