This is his first trip outside France. Jean Castex is in Tunis. The French Prime Minister will attend the third Franco-Tunisian High Cooperation Council on Thursday. Together with six ministers, the head of government wants to strengthen ties between the two countries in the light of the health and economic crisis.
With our special correspondent in Tunis, Julien chavanne
After the failed meeting in Algiers was interrupted at the last minute two months ago, Jean Castex finally passed his diplomatic baptism of fire. The head of government will spend less than 24 hours in Tunisia, but his program is tight, mainly in the economic field.
Jean Castex will attend a meeting with business leaders at the headquarters of Utica, the Tunisian employers. Several agreements are planned, mainly in the digital sector.
Financial support from France will be on the lunch menu with his counterpart Hichem Mechichi. Tunisian accounts are in red. At present, only EUR 100 million of the EUR 350 million has been paid. The rest is due to the authorities’ efforts to implement reforms, says Matignon.
The last step, memorial, at the Bardo Museum, where the Prime Minister pays tribute to the victims of The 2015 attack which had 24 dead including 4 French.
Before flying to Paris, Jean Castex will deliver the help promised by Emmanuel Macron to Covid, in particular oxygen equipment for three Tunisian hospitals.
The friendship between France and Tunisia is unshakable and valuable. In Tunis, I came to strengthen the ties that unite our two countries: they are an asset and a strength to meet our common challenges. pic.twitter.com/V7saKi7xgj
– Jean Castex (@JeanCASTEX) June 2, 2021
► To read also:Covid-19: vaccination campaign struggles to start in Tunisia
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