Author: Web Desk

The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) will examine two bills in a plenary session on Tuesday. The first concerns the organic bill approving an extradition agreement for criminals between Tunisia and Algeria, while the second pertains to the amendment of decree-law no. 13, dated March 20, 2022, regarding penal reconciliation. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

Haythem Mekki, a commentator of a private radio station "Mosaïque FM", was summoned, Monday by the Research and Investigation Brigade of the National Guard in Sfax. The Public Prosecutor at the Sfax Court of First Instance has decided to keep Haythem Mekki at liberty, pending his hearing on January 29, said the National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) on Monday. Mekki is the subject of a complaint filed against him by the management of the Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, accusing him of disseminating "false information and photos of sub-Saharan migrants who were at the hospital without authorisation, with the intention of manipulating the public opinion." During his hearing, Haythem Mekki denied all allegations brought against him, asserting that "the social media accounts where these photos were shared are not his." Members of the executive bureau of the SNJT travelled to Sfax to show solidarity with the journalist. In its statement, the Union denounced the legal action taken journalists base d on repressive laws. The SNJT urged the Public Prosecutor at the Sfax Court of First Instance to dismiss all charges against Haythem Mekki. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

President Kaïs Saied reaffirmed Tunisia's desire to establish promising partnerships and new cooperation programmes with China in various fields such as health, agriculture, sports, infrastructure and renewable energies, during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Carthage Palace on Monday. The head of state also noted the excellence of the cooperation and partnership relations between Tunisia and China and the common will of the leaders of the two countries to elevate them to the highest level to serve the higher interests of the two friendly peoples. In this context, he referred to the many diverse and important cooperation projects implemented in Tunisia with the support of China, the most recent of which is the International Diplomatic Academy, according to a statement issued by the Presidency of the Republic. On the other hand, he recalled the strength of the historical ties of friendship between Tunisia and China, as the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the est ablishment of diplomatic relations between them, and Tunisia was among the countries that voted in favour of the 1971 UN resolution recognising the Chinese People's Government as the sole representative of the Chinese people. He also recalled the results of the meeting he had with the Chinese President on the occasion of the China-Arab States Summit held in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in December 2022. During this meeting, the head of state stressed Tunisia's firm position in support of the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state on all the land of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Saied and Wang Yi also discussed a number of international issues of common interest. For his part, the Chinese Foreign Minister said in a statement released by the Presidency after the meeting that his country "is considered a strategic partner of Tunisia". He expressed China's satisfaction with the level of relations between the two countries, which are celebrating the sixtiet h anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (January 10, 1964). He also said that China "strongly supports President Kais Saied as the representative and leader of the Tunisian people on the path of progress and prosperity" and supports his efforts to "carry out internal reforms and promote national consciousness". He added: "We are friends of Tunisia and will firmly support the Tunisian state in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and programmes, and express our gratitude to it for its support for China's key issues, first and foremost the Taiwan issue." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

President of the Republic Kais Saied inaugurated the International Diplomatic Academy of Tunis on Monday, in the presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The Academy is funded by the Chinese government at an estimated amount of 88.5 million dinars. The Head of State toured the different areas of the academy and listened to a presentation given on the various stages of its construction as well as its equipment, reads a statement of the Presidency of the Republic on Monday. «The International Diplomatic Academy of Tunis is the fruit of a successful partnership between Tunisia and China,» the same source said. Kais Saied met with a group of young diplomats who will start their training in the Academy, wishing them success and success. He spoke of the strong partnership ties built with China since the establishment of diplomatic relations on January 10, 1961, reviewing certain aspects of the history of Tunisian diplomacy. The Diplomatic Academy was established under Government Decree 630/2019 which se ts its prerogatives as well as its financial and administrative organization. The International Diplomatic Academy of Tunis offers training to Tunisian and foreign diplomats in line with new international relations and the requirements of the new diplomacy. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

"The International Diplomatic Academy in Tunis is an achievement of which Tunisia is proud and which will have a great impact on the training of diplomats not only in Tunisia but also in many other countries," said President of the Republic Kais Saied on Monday. Speaking at the inauguration of the International Diplomatic Academy, in the presence of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the President noted that "the Academy will be a space for organising scientific conferences and seminars and for exchanging experiences and expertise". It is also "the embodiment of fruitful and continuous cooperation between the Republic of Tunisia and the People's Republic of China, which are jointly celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them," he stressed. The President of the Republic also said that "for more than half a century, cooperation between Tunisia and China has been multifaceted, including in the fields of infrastructure, health, culture, agriculture and others" . For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi thanked the President of the Republic for attending the inauguration of this academy in person. He said that this academy had a very special connotation, as it expresses the long-standing friendship between the two countries and opens a new chapter for Tunisian diplomacy, which he said "will develop under the leadership of President Kais Saied". The Chinese side will always stand by Tunisia, he added. On this occasion, President Saied and the Chinese Foreign Minister signed the Golden Book of the Academy. The International Diplomatic Academy in Tunisia, funded by the Chinese government, was established by Government Decree No. 630 of 2019, which regulates its administrative and financial organisation. It is funded by the Chinese government with approximately 5.88 million dinars and aims to train diplomats. The Academy will also train diplomats from other countries. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse