Tunisians expect a lot from the visit of the head of the Libyan national unity government Abdel Hamid Dbeibah to Tunis on November 30 and December 1, 2022, at the head of a large government delegation. And rightly so, because the two neighboring countries, whose destinies have always been linked, have much to gain from boosting their exchanges in all areas.
If we stick to the first announcements made by the Libyan leaders following their first meetings with their hosts, things could well change after a long period of cold, where suspicion had prevented the construction of the necessary bond of trust. to any lasting and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Abdel Hamid Dbeibah thus called on construction companies specializing in Tunisia to turn to his country, which is in the midst of reconstruction and where there is no lack of work, while recalling that 650 Tunisian companies are already working in construction in Libya, by training hope to see this number increase soon.
During a press conference held in Tunis, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, Dbeibah stressed Libya’s willingness to further develop cooperation in this area and to work to strengthen Tunisia’s contribution to the reconstruction process in Libya.
For his part, the Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade, Mohamed Al-Hweij, confirmed that the joint Tunisian-Libyan ministerial working session agreed to facilitate the procedures for the passage of people or goods between the two countries and to develop the passage of Ras Jedir, by increasing the number of portals.
Knowing the intensity of the traffic at this border post and the difficulties that citizens and traders of the two countries sometimes encounter there, we can only welcome such a decision, hoping that the vagaries of politics will not interfere with this newfound confidence.
The issue of residence and facilitating the transfer of capital and investments was also discussed, in addition to settling debts owed to Tunisia and strengthening coordination in food and pharmaceutical security, Al said. -Hweij, specifying that there was also talk of joint work to strengthen transit trade to Africa and the creation of a maritime transport line in Tunisia to Tripoli and Misrata in Libya, as well as cooperation in the field of human development and training.
“Discussions have helped dissipate the existing clouds,” assured Mr. Dbeibah, announcing the agreement on the settlement of all debts owed by Libya to Tunisia, whether related to health, air transport, electricity or other sectors.
It was also agreed to unify customs procedures, complete the establishment of the common economic zone of Ras Jedir and remove all restrictions on the movement of goods between the two countries.
It was also agreed to study the problem related to the similarity of names among some Libyans and to clarify the issue through joint security cooperation, said the Libyan leader, adding that the party Tunisian has agreed to review certain judicial decisions in Tunisia against the Libyans.
“The joint commission between the two countries will soon be held in Tripoli, during which progress in achieving what was agreed during this visit will be assessed,” Dbeibeh said.
