Between Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates… Relations cross continents
Although their distance is geographically distant, they are historically the closest at different levels and in several fields, to each other, building bridges across continents and bridges to the seas that separate them.
Tunisia and the UAE have had relations since 1972
The two countries have long maintained strong ties, and their relations officially began on 14 June 1972. Tunisia was present and represented by its foreign minister when the UAE was announced on 2 December 1971.
The relationship between the two countries was greatly enhanced by the late Sheikh Zayed ben Sultan Al Nahyane, who had paid an official visit to Tunisia on two occasions, the first in 1974 and the second in 1984. At that time, the Tunisian and Emirati parties made a number of agreements in different fields, making Tunisia the first gateway to Emirati investment in the Maghreb region.
UAE opens operational market to Tunisians
It is perhaps notable that the UAE operational market has always opened its arms to Tunisians, especially since Federal Decree No. 88 of 1974 of November 1974 specifically called for the exchange of professors and lecturers, in addition to encouraging the same decree to share the programs and curricula of universities and higher institutes with work on equipping the diplomas and degrees granted by the institutions of both parties.
Like the educational field, the UAE has been able to attract the Tunisian workforce in many specializations, due to the professionalism, good treatment, and moral and material appreciation that Tunisians have shown Emirati officials for their efforts. This has made many young Tunisians look forward to traveling to the UAE in an effort to secure their future in a country that has kept pushing Tunisia forward.
UAE investments boost Tunisian economy
As for the economic field, and specifically in terms of investments between the two countries, the UAE has a major role in boosting the economy in Tunisia, as the UAE was able to top the list of Arab countries in terms of the volume of direct Arab investments in Tunisia in 2018, with a total investment of over 88 million dinars (more than $29 million).
An agreement between Tunisia and the UAE was signed on 15 April 1996, which stipulates several rights, including the freedom to transfer capital, the freedom to transfer any profits derived from it, and the freedom to transfer capital increases that took place in Tunisia. This confirms the keenness of the Tunisian and Emirati sides to support partnership in the economic field, as is the case in other fields.
UAE grants Tunisia 11 tons of medical aid
On 1 November 2020, the United Arab Emirates sent 11 tons of medical supplies and respirators to Tunisia.
The aid was sent on a flight to Tunisia, where more than 11,000 health workers will be able to provide them with more protection in the fight against COVID-19.
