03 December 2015 – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes led the 17-member delegation of Philippine officials in the inaugural Philippines-Tunisia Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), which he co-chaired with Secretary of State of the Tunisian Foreign Ministry M’hammad Ezzine Chelaifa, in Manila on November 23.
The meeting was highlighted by the signing of three bilateral agreements namely: (1) the Memorandum of Agreement on the Establishment of a Bilateral Consultation Mechanism between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia; (2) Agreement on Cultural Cooperation between the Philippines and Tunisia, and (3) the Memorandum of Intent between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) of the Philippines and the Diplomatic Institute for Training and Studies (IDFE) of Tunisia.
Undersecretary Yabes noted the deepening Philippines-Tunisia relations which began on 15 December 1975. This close relations was manifested in the assistance provided by the Tunisian government towards the Filipino overseas workers during the height of the ongoing crisis in Libya and the former’s approval on the establishment of the Philippine Temporary Mission in Tunis on 09 September 2014.
In order to facilitate the growing trade relations of the Philippines and Tunisia, a Joint Philippines-Tunisia Business Council was established following the JCM proper. This event was held at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry where Atty. Edward C. Go, Honorary Consul of Tunisia to the Philippines, was elected President. Tunisia conveyed its desire to engage the Philippines more especially now that the Philippines is experiencing high economic growth.
In an official luncheon hosted by Undersecretary Yabes following the JCM, the Undersecretary emphasized that the successful conclusion of the first bilateral meeting between the Philippines and Tunisia is a testament the strength of the relationship of the two countries as respective initiatives, specifically in the fields of political cooperation, economic and commercial cooperation, people-to-people exchange, culture and tourism-related activities, have been effectively pushed forth.
The Philippines and Tunisia also discussed their shared interest in preserving and promoting peace, harmony and stability. With their desire to fulfill their commitment to combat terrorism, the two countries agreed on the proposal to cooperate in the field of intelligence sharing and other counter-terrorism related projects that will promote development and prosperity. END
