Ankara — Interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed, on Tuesday evening in Ankara, a political declaration on the setting up of a Tunisian-Turkish higher council for strategic co-operation meant to strengthen relations of co-operation and partnership.

Another agreement providing for the setting up of cultural centres in the two countries was also concluded. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem and his Turkish opposite number Ahmet Davutoglu.

At a joint press conference, Erdogan said that the important exchange of visits between the two countries' officials and businessmen testified to the development of Tunisian-Turkish relations, stressing the privileged position Tunisia enjoys in the Arab world after the "Jasmine Revolution". He added that the first ministerial meeting of the Tunisian-Turkish higher council of strategic co-operation will be held next March.

PM Jebali hailed, in turn, the decision to set up a higher council of strategic co-operation, saying that it will open up new prospects for bilateral relations.

He voiced hope that Tunisia and Turkey will set up a cultural pole allowing to ensure balance in international relations, in light of the close relations between Turkey, Russia, Europe, America and the Balkans, on the one hand, and the privileged relations of Tunisia with the European Union and the African countries, on the other.

Jebali also conferred with Turkish President Abdullâh Gul; The talk focused on bilateral relations after the Revolution and numerous mutual interest issues, namely co-operation in the fields of culture, tourism, security and youth.

Earlier, the two countries' delegations had signed an agreement under which Tunisia is committed to setting up an industrial zone for the benefit of Turkish businessmen and investors.