- Tunisia–United States relations
Tunisia-United States relations are
bilateral relations betweenTunisia and theUnited States .History
The United States has very good relations with Tunisia, which date back more than 200 years. The United States has maintained official representation in
Tunis almost continuously since 1795, and the American Friendship Treaty with Tunisia was signed in 1799. The two governments are not linked bysecurity treaties, but relations have been close since Tunisia'sindependence . U.S.-Tunisian relations suffered briefly after the 1985 Israeli raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis, after the 1988 Tunis assassination of PLOterrorist Abu Jihad , and in 1990 during theGulf War . In each case, however, relations warmed again quickly, reflecting strong bilateral ties. The United States and Tunisia have an active schedule of joint military exercises. U.S. security assistance historically has played an important role in cementing relations. The U.S.-Tunisian Joint Military Commission meets annually to discuss military cooperation, Tunisia's defense modernization program, and other security matters.The United States first provided economic and technical assistance to Tunisia under a bilateral agreement signed March 26, 1957. The
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) managed a program until its departure in 1994, when Tunisia's economic advances led to the country's "graduation" from USAID funding. Tunisia enthusiastically supported theU.S.-North African Economic Partnership (USNAEP), designed to promote U.S. investment in, and economic integration of, the Maghreb region. The program provided over $4 million in assistance to Tunisia between 2001 and 2003. TheMiddle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) was launched in 2002 and incorporated the former USNAEP economic reform projects while adding bilateral and regional projects for education reform, civil society development and women's empowerment. In 2004, the MEPI Regional Office opened inEmbassy Tunis. The Regional Office is staffed by American diplomats and regional specialists. It is responsible for coordinating MEPI activities inAlgeria ,Egypt ,Lebanon ,Morocco and Tunisia in close coordination with the American Embassies in those countries.American private assistance has been provided liberally since independence by foundations, religious groups, universities, and philanthropic organizations. The U.S. Government has supported Tunisia's efforts to attract foreign investment. The United States and Tunisia concluded a bilateral investment treaty in 1990 and an agreement to avoid
double taxation in 1989. In October 2002, the U.S. and Tunisia signed aTrade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), and in October 2003 held the first TIFA Council Meeting inWashington, DC .American firms seeking to invest in Tunisia and export to Tunisia can receive insurance and financing for their business through U.S. Government agencies, including the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation and theExport-Import Bank . The best prospects for foreigners interested in the Tunisian market are in high technology, energy, agribusiness,food processing , medical care and equipment, and the environmental andtourism sectors.Principal U.S. Officials include
Ambassador Robert F. Godec , Deputy Chief of Mission Marc Desjardins, Political/Economic Counselor Dorothy C. Shea, and Commercial Attaché Beth Mitchell.The U.S. maintains an
embassy inTunis .See also
*
Foreign relations of Tunisia
*Foreign relations of the United States References
StateDept [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5439.htm]
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