Canada announced funding of $8.6 million to increase women’s participation in leadership roles in Tunisia

Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie and François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, on Tuesday concluded a successful visit with Khemaies Jhinaoui, Tunisia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During this visit, ministers Freeland and Bibeau announced funding of $8.6 million to increase women’s participation in leadership roles in Tunisian municipalities and to protect Tunisia’s borders from threats of terrorism and illicit trafficking.

The Ministers discussed trade and announced their intention to sign a social security agreement between Canada and Tunisia in the near future. Minister Jhinaoui‎ also met with Minister Champagne to discuss ways to advance the current negotiations towards a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) between Canada and Tunisia.

“I was very pleased to welcome Minister Jhinaoui to Ottawa and explore ways of increasing collaboration between our two countries, whether in trade, security or women’s empowerment in Tunisia. I salute Tunisia’s important progress in recent years toward democratic reform, and I look forward to continuing to work together to promote democratic values in the Middle East and around the globe,” said Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Collectively, everyone benefits when the delivery of municipal services is effective and diverse and inclusive for women and vulnerable populations. I am convinced that involving more women in local government decisions is the best way to make sure that their needs are taken into account,” added Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie.

“Expanding our trade relationship with countries around the world is a cornerstone of our progressive trade agenda. Successful negotiations towards a FIPA will build on our people to people ties and provide for a more stable and predictable investment environment for our businesses in both Canada and Tunisia,” concluded Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade.

During the Tunisia 2020 conference that took place in November 2016, Minister Bibeau announced a $24-million integrated support plan for Tunisia over a period of four years (from 2017 to 2021).

Original source: GA Canada
Published on 19 June 2018