The Libyan and Tunisian authorities are gearing up to reconvene the High-Level Joint Committee, after a prolonged period of inactivity. The committee is expected to release new directives, aimed at promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hwaij welcomed Tunisia’s Ambassador to Libya, Al-Asaad Al-Ajili in a meeting held on Saturday.
The primary focus of the meeting was the commercial movement through the joint land borders, and the facilitation of transit procedures for citizens, goods, and services from both sides.
The two sides discussed the current arrangements for the convening of the joint Libyan-Tunisian Higher Committee, stressing the importance of “strengthening trade relations and supporting business owners and companies in both countries.”
The Committee is a platform for both countries to discuss issues of mutual interest, and explore opportunities for cooperation in various fields. The upcoming session is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral trade.
Libya and Tunisia share a long history of cultural, economic, and political ties. The two countries have cooperated on various regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism and the promotion of regional stability.
The Libyan economy has been facing significant challenges in recent years, due to political instability and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tunisia has also been grappling with economic difficulties, exacerbated by the pandemic.
Notably, Tunisia and Libya have emphasized the need to adopt a joint policy to address the issue of illegal immigration. This came during a telephone conversation between the Tunisian Interior Minister, Kamal Al-Faqi, and his Libyan counterpart, Emad Al-Trabelsi according to the Qatari News Agency (QNA) on Saturday.
The Tunisian Ministry of Interior said that the two sides agreed on the importance of joint action to combat illegal cross-border infiltration and illegal immigration.
The talks also dealt with bilateral cooperation with regard to security services that are provided across borders.
