Tunis — Foreign Affairs Minister and Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) politburo member Abdelwaheb Abdallah had, late on Monday afternoon, talks, successively with Messrs. Edward French Adami, former Maltese President, Lumberto Dini, former Italian Prime Minister, Francesco Cascio, Speaker of the Parliament of Sicily and Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance in the Belgian Government.

These personalities are visiting Tunisia to take part in works of the 21st International Symposium, held by the Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) on the 22nd anniversary of the November 7 Change.

The foreign minister underlined President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali's will to make of the Tunisian diplomacy an efficient tool to serve causes of justice and peace in the region and elsewhere in the world, while endeavouring to consolidate the foundations of co-operation and partnership with sisterly and friendly countries.

Mr. Abdelwaheb Abdallah reviewed with Mr. Edward Fenech Adami prospects for developing co-operation between Tunisia and Malta, "two countries that have so many affinities in common and that are called to work together in the interest of the two peoples and to make the Mediterranean a haven of peace, solidarity and shared prosperity," he pointed out.

After the talk, Mr. Adami praised, in a statement to the press, the "good relations" binding Tunisia and the Republic of Malta, reminding, in this respect, of the fruitful results of President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali's state visit to Valetta, in June 2005, and his own visit to Tunisia in June 2006.

He also pointed to the efforts exerted by different mechanisms tasked with co-operation between the two countries to prospect all potentials of trade exchanges and cultural co- operation.

Receiving Mr. Lamberto Dini, the Foreign Affairs Minister stressed the exemplary nature of the Tunisian-Italian relations which are deeprooted in history and have always allowed a rich political, economic and cultural exchange.

The former Italian prime minister and foreign minister and current chairman of the foreign affairs commission in the Italian Senate pointed out, in his statement, that his talk with the foreign minister made it possible to exchange views on the global economic and financial situation and ways allowing to come out of the crisis and avoid its recurrence. He commended, in this regard, the political and economic choices of Tunisia, praising the great progress it has made and future prospects which remain favourable, asserting that "Tunisia is a model for many other countries and an example of success."

During his talk with the Speaker of the Sicilian Parliament, the Foreign Affairs Minister highlighted the importance of co-operation between Tunisia and Sicily which should be further boosted as part of neighbourhood relations. The two sides underlined, in this regard, the opportunity of making the most as soon as possible of decentralised co- operation which benefits from the European Union's funds.

Mr. Francesco Cascio highlighted, after the meeting, the privileged relations between Tunisia and Sicily, referring, in this regard, to several co-operation projects, particularly in the areas of agriculture, training and heritage protection.

"Prospects of bilateral co-operation as part of Euro- Mediterranean co-operation" were also reviewed, he said.

Meeting with the Belgian Finance Minister, Mr. Abdelwaheb Abdallah called to consolidate Tunisian-Belgian political consultation and boost economic co-operation between the two partners, given the numerous factors bringing them together and potentials they have.

The Belgian official underlined, in turn, the strides made by Tunisia in different areas and emphasised the real possibilities of co-operation prevailing, in particular, through the promotion of Belgian investments in Tunisia and the achievement of joint development projects.

The situation in the world and particularly in the Middle East region were also looked at during this talk after which the Belgian minister said prospects for achieving new joint projects are tangible particularly in the areas of health and infrastructure, mentioning in this regard the great project "Taparura" in Sfax which he described as "example of sustainable development."