Tunisian Top Diplomat on Talks With Lavrov: Tunis Expects to Strengthen Relations

TUNIS (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Tunisia, where he is expected to hold negotiations with his Tunisian counterpart, Minister Nabil Ammar. As part of his visit to the North African country, Lavrov will also meet with other Tunisian officials.
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Tunis expects that the visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will strengthen relations between the countries, Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar told Sputnik.

"I have recently visited Russia twice, participated in the Russian-African summit in St. Petersburg and also visited Moscow. Both of these times were important for Tunisia's relations with Russia, and I hope that Sergey Lavrov's visit will increase support for these relations. We are very pleased with his visit," Ammar said.

One of the topics of the negotiations will be the situation in the Gaza Strip, in Palestine, the minister added.
According to Minister Ammar, Tunisia is open to cooperation with Russia in all areas and will support business contacts.
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"We are open [to cooperation] in all areas, and this must be supported. It is necessary for businessmen from both sides to meet and see the opportunities. Tunisia has always sought to diversify its relations, and Russia, as I said, is one of the important partners for Tunisia ... there are no obstacles, it is only necessary for both sides to find their own benefits," Ammar said.

Commenting on the upcoming talks with Lavrov, Ammar said that they will discuss the countries' cooperation in agriculture, including the purchase of grain from Russia.
He also noted that Tunis expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept the invitation to visit the North African country.

"Earlier, an invitation to visit Tunisia was sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But our president has no objections to visiting Russia himself, it is only necessary to mention that the Russian president already has an invitation. We will be glad if he accepts it," Ammar said.