Algerian Radio
The Council of the Nation and the National Council of Regions and Districts of the Tunisian Republic signed a parliamentary cooperation protocol today, Tuesday, in Algiers. The establishment of a parliamentary cooperation forum was also announced.
The parliamentary cooperation protocol was signed by the President of the Council of the Nation, Mr. Azzouz Nasri, and the President of the National Council of Regions and Districts of the Tunisian Republic, Mr. Imed Derbali. The signing ceremony took place following their talks, which were subsequently expanded to include the delegations of both countries.
At the beginning of the meeting, a minute of silence was observed, and Al-Fatiha was recited in memory of the former President of the Republic, the Moudjahid Liamine Zéroual, who passed away last Saturday following a terminal illness.
This agreement, which falls within the framework of both councils' commitment to consolidating the bonds of cooperation and coordination across all legislative, diplomatic, and administrative fields, includes several mechanisms designed to "enhance their institutional partnership, reflecting the deep-rooted historical relations between Algeria and Tunisia."
In this regard, Mr. Nasri explained that this protocol will enable the "establishment of a close partnership based on the principles of equality, trust, mutual benefit, exchange, consultation, and coordination."
The President of the Council of the Nation also praised the existing cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, such as the Reflection and Foresight Committee, the Grand Joint Commission for Cooperation, as well as the effective economic partnership governed by over 200 agreements.
Among the most important of these mechanisms are the parliamentary friendship and brotherhood groups, which represent a "platform for dialogue and coordination between the two legislative institutions," added Mr. Nasri.
In the same context, the President of the Council of the Nation praised the level of mutual support between the Algerian Parliament and its Tunisian counterpart, as well as the "exceptional harmony" that guides the efforts of parliamentarians from both countries toward serving the interests of their peoples, achieving peace and security, and upholding respect for international law.
For his part, Mr. Derbali described this protocol as a "strategic step toward enhancing parliamentary, economic, and political cooperation between the two brotherly countries," as well as an "actual embodiment of the shared will to expand partnerships between the two institutions."
He stressed that the upcoming phase requires both parties to "work on expanding and activating these partnerships and supporting parliamentary diplomacy, as it is a fundamental lever for both political and economic cooperation, serving the peoples of the two countries and enhancing development and stability."
On this occasion, the establishment of a parliamentary cooperation forum was announced, representing a "practical step to launch a structured cooperative framework, by establishing a close partnership, dialogue, and mutual support between the two bodies."
This forum, which includes members from the Council of the Nation and the upper house of the Tunisian Parliament, serves to form a "brotherly platform for dialogue, support, and consultation."
