Tunisia, France sign eight co-operation agreements

Eight co-operation agreements were signed by Tunisia and France at a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the Carthage Palace, under the chairmanship of President Beji Caïd Essebsi and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, TAP reports.
The agreements signed by the ministers and officials of both countries cover the fields of defence, security, justice, education, higher education, scientific research, vocational training, culture, economic development and entrepreneurship in the public sector, TAP said.
Here is the list of agreements:
– An amendment to the agreement on the conversion of debt into development projects signed by Minister of Investment Development and International Cooperation Zied Laadhari and Secretary of State to the Minister of Economy and Finance Delphine Gény -Stephann.
With a sum of €30 million (about 90 million dinars), this budget is added to the €60 million granted to Tunisia in January 2016.
A declaration of intent between the two governments on the conversion of Tunisia’s debt into a development project was signed during former French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve’s visit to Tunisia on April 7, 2017. The effective mobilisation of this budget is fomalised by the signing of an amendment to the convention on the conversion of the debt being implemented.
– Joint declaration on the priorities of the Tunisian-French partnership signed by Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Yves le Drian. This text aims to validate the four Tunisian-French roadmaps developed in the following priority sectors: economic development, justice, security and defence, education, higher education, research and vocational training, culture and Francophonie.
– Declaration of intent between the governments of the Republic of Tunisia and the French Republic regarding bilateral co-operation in the fight against terrorism, the financing of terrorism and radicalization. It was signed by Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Yvess le Drian.
This declaration aims to strengthen co-operation between the agencies and services involved in this fight.
– Declaration of intent for the creation of a support fund for development, enterprise and youth entrepreneurship in Tunisia (Young Entrepreneurs in Tunisia signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemaies Jhinaoui and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Yvess le Drian.
This is a letter of intent that will announce the establishment of a grant fund of €30 million (about 90 MD) to finance productive projects of proximity, carried out by young people throughout the Tunisian territory.
– Declaration of intent for the creation of a French-Tunisian university for Africa and the Mediterranean signed by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Slim Khalbous and French Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation Frédérique Vidal.
It will engage the French and Tunisian parties for the creation of the French-Tunisian University for Africa and the Mediterranean (French: UFTAM) in 2018.
– Amendment to the financial protocol on granting a financing line to Tunisian SMEs and SMIs signed by Minister of Development Investment and International Co-operation Zied Laadhari and the French Secretary of State to the Minister Economy and Finances Delphine Gény-Stephann, for an amount of €15 million (about 45 MD), added to the €15 million granted to Tunisia in December 2017.
– Financing agreement to support the reform of the governance of public enterprises signed by Minister of Development, Investment and International Co-operation Zied Laadhari and Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux. This agreement is worth €100 million (about 300 MD).
It will be in the form of a sovereign public policy loan.
– Financing agreement for the PROVILLE 2 programme signed by  Minister of Development, Investment and International Co-operation Zied Laadhari and Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux.
This new financing, granted by AFD’s Board of Directors on December 21, 2017, aims to improve the living conditions of the population in 146 disadvantaged neighborhoods in urban areas (road works, drainage, public lighting, sanitation networks, social facilities, business premises, social housing development).
TunisianMonitorOnLine (Source:TAP)

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