Egypt voices confidence in new Tunisian government’s ability to confront challenges

CAIRO – 11 October 2021: Egypt has welcomed the formation of a new Tunisian government on Monday under Prime Minister Najla Bouden, voicing confidence in its ability to face the various challenges.

This comes within the framework of “popular solidarity and under the wide leadership of President Kais Saied,” a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry read.

Tunisia named its new government today around three months after President Kais Saied sacked the government of Hichem Mechichi and suspended parliament.

The formation of the government has been frequently demanded by domestic politicians to end the state’s current crisis.

Egypt in the statement hailed the sincere national efforts being made by the Tunisian state to meet the brotherly Tunisian people’s aspiration toward development and prosperity.

“Egypt affirms that it will stay supportive to the wise leadership of Mr. President Kais Saied in its endeavors toward establishing the pillars of stability in Tunisia and achieving development and progress,” the statement read.

This comes in a way that “preserves the resources of our brotherly people and protects the national state instiutions,” the statement added.

Egypt also looks forward to working with the new government to boost the frameworks of distinguished bilateral cooperation between the two countries and to enhance their consultation mechanisms on various issues of mutual concern, the statement read.

This comes within the framework of the brotherly bonds and strong relations gathering the two countries on all levels, in a way that maximizes the interests of their two peoples, the statement added.

Late in September, Egypt has welcomed President Saied’s naming of Bouden to form the new government.

Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman congratulated the Tunisian side on naming Bouden as the new prime minister.

“He hailed this step as part of Tunisia’s motion toward the future under the wise national leadership of President Kais Saied.”

The spokesman renewed in this regard Egypt’s support to the Tunisian president’s vision that seeks achieving security and stability and responding to people’s will, the statement added.

Bouden, a university teacher, is the first Tunisian woman ever to take post as prime minister and will be the country’s tenth prime minister since the 2011 uprising in Tunisia.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry visited Saied on August 3 in Carthage Palace to deliver a message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Tunisian presidency said in a statement that the meeting was an opportunity to thank Egypt again for its solidarity and noble stance with Tunisia in the face of COVID-19.

Saied emphasized solidifying coordination and cooperation with Egypt, reiterating that Egypt’s stability and security are part of Tunisia’s.

For his part, Shoukry conveyed Sisi’s “absolute support” for the historical measures taken by Saied to fulfil the will of the Tunisian people and ensure the stability of the country.

The minister said Egypt trusts that Saeid’s wisdom will take the country through this constitutional path in stable steps.

Egypt has sent Tunisia a number of medical aid shipments to help alleviate the rocketing pressure owed to the pandemic. Protests against the government’s failure in dealing with COVID-19 led Saied to sack the prime minister and the parliament.