Meeting Between Tunisian and Canadian Officials to Strengthen Bilateral Relations
On February 9, 2026, Mr. Mohamed Ali Nafti, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, received Mr. Jean-Claude D'Amours, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs for the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Mr. D'Amours is on a working visit to Tunisia from February 7 to 12, 2026, accompanied by the Canadian Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Alexander Kofi Alain Bilodeau.
Discussion of Bilateral Relations
During the meeting, Minister Nafti praised the depth and solidity of the bilateral relations between the two countries, emphasizing the shared desire to support and develop them further in various areas of common interest. These areas include educational, scientific, and research cooperation, which have been a fundamental pillar of Tunisian-Canadian relations since Tunisia's independence.
Minister Nafti also highlighted the framework of the International Organization of La Francophonie as a space for cultural exchange based on equality, common interests, and universal human values. Additionally, he stressed the positive role played by members of the Tunisian community residing in Canada in strengthening the ties of friendship, cooperation, and partnership between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of joint work to improve their supervision, living conditions, and integration into the country of residence.
Working Session and Memorandum of Understanding
A working session was held between Mr. Mohamed Ben Ayed, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, and Mr. Jean-Claude D'Amours. This meeting focused on examining ways to further strengthen cooperation with the province of New Brunswick in various areas of common interest, including the promotion of bilateral trade exchanges and the mechanisms for supervising recruitment in this province, with the aim of ensuring mutual benefit for both parties.
Minister D'Amours reaffirmed the Canadian side's willingness to develop cooperation with Tunisia, within the framework of the strategy dedicated to French-speaking Africa launched by the province in May 2025. This strategy concerns six priority countries for its implementation, including Tunisia, and includes main axes related to economic development, education, training, migration, and labor recruitment.
The working session concluded with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties, aiming to establish a general framework for cooperation between Tunisia and the province of New Brunswick in several priority areas of common interest, including higher education, health, training, education, trade, culture, and tourism.
