Photographs from the visit are available on Flickr. The pictures may be used freely if credited. 

Relations between parliaments are important

“It is important for Tunisia that its parliament cooperates with and compares notes with the Storting,” Mohamed Ennaceur said after his meeting with the Storting President Olemic Thommessen and First Vice President Marit Nybakk. 

During the meeting, Ennaceur spoke about the situation in Tunis. Tunisia is a young democracy with significant challenges. The country is working to build democratic institutions at the same time that it faces economic, social and security policy problems. In this context, Ennaceur highlighted the significance of interparliamentary cooperation.

“The Tunisian parliament wishes to have a good relationship with the Storting. We regard you as a friend,” said Ennaceur.

First Vice President Marit Nybakk visited Tunisia officially before Christmas last year.

“The Tunisian visit further strengthens the ties between the Storting and the Tunisian parliament. The international community, including Norway and the EU, must contribute to development and employment in Tunisia to sustain its new and fragile democracy,” she observed.

Terror – a shared challenge

The president of Tunisia’s parliament, or Assembly of the Representatives of the People, also met the Storting’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. At the meeting, Tunisia’s security challenges were discussed.

“Tunisia and Norway stand together in the battle against extremism and terrorism,” the chair of the committee, Anniken Huitfeldt, said after the meeting with Ennaceur, at which issues such as the expansion of ISIL in the neighbouring country of Libya and developments in Syria and Iraq were discussed.

“Tunisia inspires us to believe in democratic growth in the Middle East, so we must support the country to make sure developments continue to move in the right direction,” Huitfeldt added.

Read about Marit Nybakk’s official visit to Tunisia in November 2015.