Qatar–Tunisia relations

Qatar–Tunisia relations are the bilateral relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Tunisia. Qatar is a heavy investor in Tunisia, and ranks second globally in terms of foreign direct investments in Tunisia.[1] The two enjoyed close political relations during the Ennahda Movement's assumption of power in Tunisia in 2011.[2] Both countries are members of the Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Non-Aligned Movement, Group of 77 and the United Nations.

Qatar – Tunisia relations
Map indicating locations of Qatar and Tunisia

Qatar
Tunisia

Diplomatic representation
Qatari embassy in Tunisia

Qatar maintains an embassy in Tunis.[3]

Tunisia has an embassy in Doha.[4]

High level visits

In June 2017, during the 2017 Qatar diplomatic crisis, Qatar's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, met with Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi to discuss international matters of interest.[5]

History

During the reign of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as President of Tunisia, Qatar's media network Al Jazeera often denounced his actions, and its editorial line embraced the Tunisian Revolution, which led to his ouster in 2011.[2]

Relations between Qatar and Tunisia improved immensely between 2011 and 2013, when Ennahda Movement-affiliated candidate Hamadi Jebali was declared Prime Minister of Tunisia in the 2011 Tunisian Constituent Assembly elections. Cooperation in all fields gradually started picking up traction; for instance, the two governments signed ten bilateral agreements in 2012.[2]

When Ennahda relinquished power in 2014, Qatar continued supporting Tunisia's government in the form of financial aid and loans. Qatar also cast Tunisia in a positive light through two of its most influential news organizations, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed and Al Jazeera.[2]

Qatar's ambassador to Tunisia paid $2.2 million for Tunisia to host an international investment conference in November 2016.[6] Moreover, during the conference, Qatar pledged $1.25 billion in aid to Tunisia in an effort to help improve its economy.[7]

The Qatar-Tunisia Joint Higher Committee was formed to deliberate over issues of mutual interest.[8]

2017 Qatari diplomatic crisis
Main article: 2017 Qatari diplomatic crisis

On 5 June 2017, a number of states led by Saudi Arabia cut ties with Qatar. Tunisia adopted a neutral stance on this issue, calling for the parties to negotiate a solution to the dispute.[9]

Moncef Marzouki, president of Tunisia from 2011 to 2014, supported Qatar's position against the blockading countries.[10]

Economic relations

Qatar is among the largest Arab investors in Tunisia.[11] Qatar's investments in Tunisia in 2015 exceeded QR 4 billion, making it Tunisia's most important Arab partner and second-most important global partner in terms of foreign direct investment.[1]

COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Qatar provided urgent medical assistance to Tunisia in July 2021.[12] Qatar delivered respirators, ventilators and a fully-equipped field hospital with a capacity of 200 beds.[13][14]

See also

References
  1. "Qatari investments in Tunisia crossed QR4bn in 2015, says official". Gulf Times. 1 August 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  2. Youssef Cherif (17 January 2017). "Tunisia's Fledgling Gulf Relations". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  3. "Qatari Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia". embassypages.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  4. "Tunisian Embassy in Doha, Qatar". embassypages.com. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  5. "Tunisian President Meets State Minister for Foreign Affairs". Qatar Tribune. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  6. "Tunisia 2020 : Le Qatar prend en charge les frais d'organisation de la Conférence pour 2,4 millions d'euros" (in French). ilBoursa. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  7. "Qatar to give $1.25 billion of aid to Tunisia: Emir". Reuters. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  8. "Essebsi hails 'historic' Tunisian-Qatari relations". Gulf Times. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  9. Mohamed Ali Litfi (29 June 2017). "Tunisia can only afford neutrality in Qatar crisis". Al Monitor. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  10. "موقف المنصف المرزوقي من قطع العلاقات مع قطر من قبل عدد من الدّول" (in Arabic). MFM Radio. 6 May 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  11. Youssef Cherif (7 September 2017). "Everyone is taking sides in the Qatar crisis. Here's why these four North African states aren't". The Washington Post. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  12. "Tunisia: Medical Aid to Tunisia - Qatari Ambassador to Tunisia". allAfrica.com. 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  13. "Europe sends aid to help Tunisia counter COVID surge". Reuters. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
  14. "Tunisian Prime Minister Praises Qatar's Support for Tunisia in Addressing COVID-19 Pandemic". www.mofa.gov.qa. Retrieved 2022-03-16.
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