Algiers — "Tunisia-Algeria border security is of utmost importance for both countries," said Interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali Sunday in Algiers during a meeting with Algerian Premier Abdelmalek Sellal.

"We cannot speak of development and stability without security," he declared, adding "security is the cornerstone on which will be built development and economic relations between the two countries and the peoples of the region."

The meeting turned on issues relating to development and social, economic, commercial and consular affairs. Jebali reaffirmed as well the will of the two governments to boost co-operation between the two countries.

As to Algeria's PM, he said that the current developments of the situation at the regional and international level required to join the two countries' efforts, insisting on the need to fight against all forms of organised crime and illegal trade through increased border security.

He also stressed the need to remain committed to the Arab Maghreb Union as a strategic choice to build up a consistent unit based on actual complementarity.

At the economic level, the Algerian PM declared that the next joint committee, the 19th of its kind, will focus on the issues of energy, tourism, higher education and education, development of border areas and mutual interest investments.

Hamadi Jebali is currently paying a two-day official visit in Algeria at the head of a delegation including the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, Investment and International Co-operation and Industry.