Tunisian President Kais Saied held a significant meeting with David Lammy, the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs, on Friday to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and opportunities for further cooperation.
The two leaders focused on the enduring stability of the Tunisia-UK relationship, while President Saied pointed out that there is room for progress, especially in sectors such as trade, security, education, energy, and investment. The Tunisian president emphasized the shared commitment to expanding these areas of collaboration for mutual growth and benefit.
During the meeting, Saied also stressed the importance of fostering multilateral cooperation to address regional and global challenges. “As we face mounting regional instability and shifting global dynamics, Tunisia and the United Kingdom have the potential to deepen our cooperation,” said Saied. He underscored the significance of strengthening both bilateral and broader international efforts in tackling issues affecting the region and beyond.
On the issue of international conflicts, Saied expressed his concerns regarding the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, acknowledging that the global response has been more decisive and unified than the actions of traditional international organizations. The Tunisian president called for a more cohesive approach to solving the Palestinian crisis, alongside other pressing issues such as terrorism and the growing migration crisis fueled by criminal networks.
Saied emphasized the need for a collective international effort to dismantle these cross-border networks and ensure that individuals in conflict-affected regions are given the opportunity to live in dignity and safety, which could allow for their eventual return to their homelands.
In response, Lammy invited President Saied to visit the United Kingdom and deliver a lecture at Oxford University on new political thought regarding humanitarian issues at both national and global levels. This would serve as a platform for further intellectual dialogue on global humanitarian concerns and their implications for international policy.
Following his talks with Saied, Lammy met with Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Nafti, at the Ministry’s headquarters. The two officials discussed the evolving situation in the Sahel region and its impact on migration. They agreed on the necessity of a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of migration, combat human trafficking, and promote regular migration pathways.
They also exchanged views on various international and regional issues, with a particular focus on strengthening security, stability, and sustainable development in the Sahel and wider region, ensuring that both Tunisia and the UK continue to play a significant role in fostering peace and prosperity.