Defence Minister meets with Acting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs

Minister of National Defence Imed Memmich, on Friday, received Acting U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for African Affairs Jennifer Zakriski, who was accompanied by a high-level military delegation on her visit to Tunisia on February 8-9. According to a Ministry statement, this visit comes is part of the preparatory working sessions for the thirty-sixth session of the Tunisian-American Joint Military Commission. Minister Memmich highlighted the strong ties between Tunisia and the United States, voicing satisfaction at the results achieved at the end of the annual meeting on reviewing joint military activities and exercises. The annual meeting ended, on Wednesday, with the approval of a series of reviews and activities scheduled between the two sides for the coming period. The Minister asserted that Tunisia relies on its own capabilities to address security challenges as well as on international cooperation with western countries, namely the United States. He emphasised that the regular conveni ng of the Joint Military Commission is a proof of the keenness of both sides to further coordinate joint efforts and support bilateral relations and joint cooperation programmes. On her part, Zakriski stated that this meeting was an opportunity to assess the strong military relations between the two countries. She expressed her country's continued support to Tunisia in developing operational capabilities of the military institution in several areas related to training, exchange of expertise, technical assistance, and provision of equipment suitable for non-traditional threats and border protection. The meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the United States to Tunisia and high-level military officials from both sides, the same source said. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse