Tunis — Emigration is neither a problem to solve nor a temporary situation but rather a phenomenon closely linked to the development of human civilisation, said Interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali Monday at the closing works of the forum of Tunisian expatriates' associations.

He also stressed the need to give due care to the cultural dimension of emigration and deal with it as an integral part of the collective memory of Tunisia's people.

Universal values are our point of reference in any national policy aimed to preserve the rights of Tunisian citizens wherever they are, he added.

The PM declared that the Secretariat of State to Migration and Expatriates had started co-ordination between the intervening structures in matters of emigration in order to restore the confidence of Tunisian expatriate community and encourage the spirit of initiative of expatriate skills, the aim being to actively contribute to revive the development process in Tunisia.

One of the major challenges facing Tunisian expats' associations, he said, is their capacity to focus the efforts of the whole Tunisian community abroad, which requires the promotion of the performance of the associative fabric and the establishment of actual partnership with foreign associations operating in host countries.