Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hosted this Tuesday the head of Tunisia’s National Council of Regions and Districts, Imed Derbali, along with a Tunisian delegation, according to a statement from the presidency. The meeting took place with Boualem Boualem, the director of the president’s office; Ammar Abba, advisor on diplomatic affairs; and Farid Kourtal, advisor on economic matters, all in attendance.
On the same day, Azouz Nasri, speaker of Algeria’s Council of the Nation, greeted his Tunisian counterpart upon arrival in the country. The session, held at the council’s headquarters in Algiers, aimed to deepen inter-parliamentary bonds and lay groundwork for joint initiatives across key areas. It highlighted the exemplary historical ties between Algeria and Tunisia—”rooted in brotherhood, unity, and mutual support among their peoples, further strengthened by a shared legacy of martyrs’ sacrifices and independence struggles,” the statement noted. It also pointed out that these bilateral relations receive strong backing from both nations’ leaders, Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Kaïs Saïed, with an eye toward forging “a robust strategic partnership.”
Nasri reviewed existing cooperation frameworks, praising economic collaboration, security coordination, and joint anti-terrorism efforts—above all, the alignment of the two countries’ stances on global and regional issues. He added that bolstering ties between the Algerian and Tunisian parliaments via parliamentary diplomacy and friendship groups is vital for advancing bilateral dialogue and consultation, “while underscoring the unique role of the two upper houses in a bicameral system,” the statement said.
For his part, Imed Derbali voiced delight at visiting Algeria and emphasized the profound neighborly relations between the countries, which he described as a benchmark for authenticity, steadiness, and solidarity. “Algeria’s security is Tunisia’s, and vice versa,” he declared, per the statement, urging greater economic integration and collaboration to counter regional threats. He also noted that “Tunisia is advancing social justice and citizen involvement in shaping public policies,” while outlining bilateral cooperation in sectors like agriculture, energy, tourism, and education.
The visit signals a launchpad for intensifying parliamentary ties through exchanges and diplomatic mechanisms, including friendship groups, to “solidify shared positions on major international and regional challenges, especially support for the Palestinian cause,” according to the statement.
Imed Derbali arrived in Algeria on March 30 at Algiers-Houari Boumediene International Airport, where Azouz Nasri welcomed him warmly, flanked by Rabah Baghali, Hamma Chouchane, and Abdeljalil Benrabah. His stay, extending through April 1, includes a lineup of bilateral meetings to ramp up parliamentary cooperation, swap expertise, and engage the Algerian-Tunisian Parliamentary Cooperation Forum and the Algeria-Tunisia Parliamentary Friendship Group.