Tunisia | National Day

Embassy Network | 1st May 2018

Dr Murrison, Ambassador Ben Khedher and Damien Moore MP toast Tunisian/UK relations

Ambassador Ben Khedher thanks Dr Murrison

Dr Andrew Murrison MP delivers his speech while Mrs Maha Ben Larbi looks on

The Ambassador of Lebanon Rami Mortada, Kuwait Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Khaled Al Duwaisan and Nasser Ahmed Kamel, Ambassador of Egypt

Guests tucked into delicious Tunisian delicacies

A strong start
Recently arrived Tunisian Ambassador Nabil Ben Khedher has wasted little time forging stronger ties with the United Kingdom. The Ambassador used his first National Day to announce the launch of an All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tunisia as well as plans to reconstitute the British Tunisian society, which was dissolved in 2009.

“British and Tunisian interests have essentially been those of trade and business and this is even more true today as the UK prepares to leave the European Union,” he told guests at the event. “I want to build on this long-standing relationship and promote further links between the two countries.”

Ambassador Ben Khedher said he’s delighted his appointment has coincided with restrictions on travel to Tunisia being partially lifted. “This came as a result of excellent security co-operation between the two countries,” he added. “It will hopefully translate into a progressive return of British holiday-makers.”

Dr Andrew Murrison MP, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Tunisia, congratulated the Ambassador on doing “great things” to cement the bonds between Tunisia and the UK. “Over the past few decades the ties between Tunisia and the UK have been good but not superlative,” he said. “What we need to do is work together to ensure that those bonds across the piece is as tight and productive as possible.”

PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS