Canada and Tunisia Strengthen Bilateral Relations
"We are determined to implement the bilateral social security agreement between Tunisia and Canada to strengthen the social protection of our respective citizens," promised Canadian House of Commons President Francis Scarpaleggia.
This commitment was the foundation of the working session held on Monday at the Bardo Palace between the President of the People's Representatives Assembly (ARP), Ibrahim Bouderbala, and his Canadian counterpart, who is on an official visit to Tunisia from May 10 to 13. The two parties reaffirmed their common will to deepen parliamentary, economic, and human relations between the two countries.
The meeting brought together members of the Tunisian-Canadian Parliamentary Cooperation Group, established from the Cooperation Group with American continent countries. Bouderbala emphasized that this group is based on the depth of Tunisian-Canadian ties and shared principles, including the promotion of peace, defense of rights and freedoms, and the right of peoples to self-determination. He also presented the specifics of the Tunisian political system and the experience of the single-member electoral system as a lever for democratic consolidation.
Scarpaleggia announced his intention to instruct the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the implementation of the social security agreement. Members of the House of Commons reiterated their commitment to accelerate the process of equivalence of Tunisian diplomas to facilitate the integration of qualified Tunisian skills.
Tunisian parliamentarians called for the removal of administrative burdens hindering access to the Canadian job market and for the promotion of Tunisian agricultural products, including olive oil and dates, on the Canadian market.
Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including renewable energies (green hydrogen, solar energy), academic cooperation and university scholarships, vocational training, digitalization and artificial intelligence, decentralization, security, air transport, and strengthening direct links. Tourism and the valorization of Tunisian cultural heritage were also mentioned. Scarpaleggia praised the role of the Tunisian community in Canada, particularly in Montreal, which he represents.
At the end of the meeting, Scarpaleggia signed the Golden Book of the ARP. The Canadian delegation then visited various parts of the Bardo Palace. The meeting was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia, the Vice-Presidents of the ARP, and the Coordinator of the Tunisian-Canadian Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Key Takeaways:
- Canada and Tunisia reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the bilateral social security agreement to strengthen social protection for their citizens.
- The two countries agreed to deepen parliamentary, economic, and human relations.
- Tunisia called for the removal of administrative burdens hindering access to the Canadian job market and for the promotion of Tunisian agricultural products on the Canadian market.
- Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including renewable energies, academic cooperation, vocational training, digitalization, and tourism.
