u.s.-tunisia relations Tunisia is a strong partner of the United States, and the U.S. Government is proud to support Tunisia in its transition to democracy. Mark N. Katz, “Saudi-Russian Relations in the Putin Era,” The Middle East Journal, Vo. In 2016, Algeria and Russia began sharing intelligence on terrorist groups' movement across North Africa and announced additional plans for deeper military cooperation. Moscow would then lose its closest ally in the Middle East, along with access to naval facilities at Tartus, a close arms relationship, and investments in the petroleum and other sectors of the Syrian economy.[21]. The friendly cooperative relationship between the two countries in all fields is developing steadily. In December, John R. Bolton, President Trump’s national security adviser, described the new strategy in Africa as a “great power” competition and counterbalance to China and Russia. More information about Tunisia is available on the Tunisia Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet. Elected leaders in the Central African Republic have turned to Moscow to sell mining rights for gold and diamonds to buy Russian arms and to hire scores of trainers. The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Tunisia on the Avoidance of Double Taxation on Income and on the Prevention of Tax Evasion. Russia is seeking more strategic bases for its troops, including at Libyan ports on the Mediterranean Sea and at naval logistics centers in Eritrea and Sudan on the Red Sea, according to an analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, a research organization in Washington. In March 2017, the head of U.S. Africa Command, Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that Russia seeks to exert maximum leverage over the most likely victor in the Libyan civil war and that such leverage would not be in the U.S. interest. Russia kept a low profile during the tumultuous political protest conducted by the Arab Shi‘a majority in Bahrain against the Sunni minority royal family and government. What Moscow does see, though, is that Washington is not alert to this danger. [7], Then in a bizarre episode on March 21, 2011, a statement by Prime Minister Putin criticizing Western military action against Libya as a “crusade” was followed two hours later by President Medvedev saying that it was “inexcusable” to use a term such as “crusade,” and indicated that he did not oppose the U.N. Security Council Resolution on Libya. [9]. 1-202-862-1850). [10] In early June, Medvedev sent Mikhail Margelov, chairman of the foreign relations committee of Russia’s Federation Council, as his personal representative to Libya for talks with both the Qadhafi government and with the rebels. The negotiations not only showed that both countries have similar positions on the threat of global terrorism and the general situation in the Middle East and North Africa, but also made evident a number of areas of economic cooperation that require significant attention by both sides. All Rights Reserved     E-mail. Two weeks ago, the Russian deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, discussed prospects for broadening cooperation with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of the Central African Republic. Yekaterina Savina, “We Can Take the Liberty of Deviating from the Canons of Law,” Gazeta.ru, February 26, 2011 (World News Connection). Tunisia has also sent teams of table tennis and gymnastics to China for training. [6], However, after the Arab League called for the imposition of a no-fly zone in Libya to protect its citizens from the use of force by Qadhafi, Russia — along with China — abstained from the vote on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973 that authorized it, thus allowing the resolution to pass. [12] In January 2012, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov visited Bahrain to discuss the possibility of establishing direct air service between Moscow and Manama as well as economic and cultural cooperation[13] — as if nothing untoward had ever taken place in Bahrain. Copyright © China.org.cn. His research interests include the history and current state of the international left-wing movement, European foreign policy, political processes of European construction, and the phenomenon of transnational political parties in Europe. And last spring, five sub-Saharan African countries — Mali, Niger, Chad, Burkina Faso and Mauritania — appealed to Moscow to help their overtaxed militaries and security services combat the Islamic State and Al Qaeda. As a result of the meetings in mid-March, the ministers came up with a joint statement on the fight against international terrorism, pointing out that terrorist groups and, most importantly, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Greater Syria (ISIS) pose a direct threat to global security and the sovereignty of states. 1984 The two countries signed a protocol on barter trade, implementing double trade systems, i.e., barter trade and spot trade. Mark N. Katz, “The Emerging Saudi-Russian Partnership,” Mideast Monitor, Vol. Along the way, Tunisia lost 15 points in the Human Development Index, moving from 81st position in 2010 to 96th in 2015. From 1984, Chinese companies of labor service entered Tunisia, involving themselves in the infrastructure building, agriculture, light industry and other relater fields. Recent negotiations in Moscow on Mar. President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia will host a summit meeting between Moscow and African countries later this year. Thus, although Moscow opposes the passage of Security Council resolutions (and certainly Security Council-approved intervention) against the Asad regime in Syria, the absence of such resolutions may not serve to keep it in power. This is another indicator demonstrating the negative impact that terrorism has on international relations. Russia said in a statement last year that 175 instructors — believed by Pentagon officials and Western analysts to be employed by the Wagner Group — have trained more than 1,000 Central African Republic troops. China has provided certain amount of economic aid to Tunisia since 1959. These factors are influencing the government to be even more active in countering any signs of extremism. Ruslan Kostyuk is a professor at St. Petersburg State University, Doctor of Historical Sciences. Maksim Glikin, “Quote of the Week,” Vedomosti, March 22, 2011, p. 4 (Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press, Vol. The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them. U.S. assistance to Tunisia focuses on an array of targeted areas that include ensuring and enhancing internal and external security, promoting democratic practices and good governance, and supporting sustainable economic growth. In cooperation with its European allies, policymakers should promote greater regional counterterrorism cooperation among the Maghreb states and expand the U.S. Navy's presence across the Mediterranean. “Russia’s Putin Warns Against ‘External Interference’ in North Africa, Mid East,” Rossiya 24 TV, February 24, 2011 (World News Connection). 1974 Open account was substituted with spot trade. | Support the Institute, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 1111 19th Street NW Suite 500, Washington D.C. 20036, Copyright 2020 The Washington Institute - printed with permission, Stay up to date on pressing policy issues in the middle east, Ideas. Ultimately, Moscow cares most about exerting influence in Libya, regardless of who is in charge. According to China-watcher Yun Sun, “While Beijing saw little to lose, it saw much to gain by vetoing the Syria resolution. Potentially Tunisia could also export food products to Russia (including dates, apples and pears) while Russia could supply its partner with animal products. “Russian FM Welcomes News of Talks between Authorities, Opposition in Yemen,” Rossiya 24 TV, April 6, 2011 (World News Connection). China established diplomatic relationship with Tunisia on January 10, 1964. Nearly 80 percent of all Russian military sales across the continent are to Algeria, a longtime customer, Pentagon officials said.