NATO's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Mr Javier Colomina, travelled to Tunis on 7-8 April 2025. This was his first visit to Tunisia in his new capacity. He met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti, the Minister of National Defence Khaled Sehili, and the National Security Advisor to the President of the Tunisian Republic Abderraouf Atallah, to discuss NATO's relations with Tunisia, and exchange views on regional security issues.
Special Representative Colomina highlighted the long-term importance of the committed partnership between NATO and Tunisia, notably in the context of current regional security challenges, including developments in the Sahel region. Taking stock of the cooperation to date, Special Representative Colomina and the Tunisian authorities discussed opportunities to further deepen political dialogue and enhance practical cooperation, on the basis of NATO's strengthened approach to the southern neighbourhood, approved at the NATO Summit in Washington, in July 2024. Noting the links between regional and global security, the NATO Special Representative said: "Strengthening our partnership is of great value for both NATO and Tunisia. The challenges we face are global and interconnected; we can better address them and ensure stability through international cooperation."
"Tunisia is one of the most ambitious partners within the Mediterranean Dialogue and we value the country's active involvement. Under the Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Package, NATO and Tunisia are deepening their cooperation," he added. The DCB package includes important initiatives on defence and security, fostering interoperability with NATO and enabling cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, countering-improvised explosive devices, women peace and security, building integrity and defence against chemical and biological agents. Tunisia is also enhancing its role as a regional capacity-building hub and contributes greatly to regional stability, including through military education programmes supported by NATO and open to African countries.
Tunisia joined the Mediterranean Dialogue in 1995. This NATO partnership framework aims to contribute to regional security and stability in the Mediterranean through political dialogue and practical cooperation.
