Tunisian-Brazilian partnership getting real

During his visit to Tunisia, Brazil's foreign minister Antonio Patriota said that the main purpose of the visit is to boost Tunisian-Brazilian co-operation and Tunisia's participation in next June's United Nations on sustained development which will be held in Rio De Janeiro.

After a closed work session between Mr Antonio Patriota and Mr Rafik Abdessalem (Tunisian foreign affairs minister), the Brazilian side said ''We wish to convert the friendship relations binding Tunisia and Brazil into a real partnership based on shared values: social justice, respect of human rights and environmental awareness''. He also specified that there are several opportunities to reinforce partnership, especially in agriculture, social and institutional development.

For his part, Mr Abdessalem pointed out the mutual will to develop bilateral relations and increase trade exchanges between the two countries, which will open a great path for a wider co-operation at regional level between Maghreb and South American countries and also for a better understanding with the Mercosur countries (Customs union between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay).

Back in 2011, after the revolution, the flow of trade exchanges between the two sides reached 481 million USD, compared with 342 million USD in 2010. Tunisia exported to the 6th world largest economy products such as phosphate, chemicals and dates. Tunisias also imported sugar, coffee, wheat, corn and vegetable oil.

At the end of the meeting, the two ministers agreed to hold, the Tunisian-Brazilian High Joint Commission which will have as a mission to keep the trade rates increasing year after year.

-Adnen ben Haj-

TAP

Posted in: Tunisia