Tunisia-Interior Minister meets U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights

Security cooperation between Tunisia and the United States and ways to strengthen it were discussed at a meeting Thursday in Tunis between Interior Minister Taoufik Charfeddine and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya.

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement and U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Blome were also present at the meeting, said a statement from the Interior Ministry.

Besides the security component, the meeting discussed the prospects for cooperation, particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and organised crime, according to the same source.

The two officials also discussed ways to secure the borders, cooperation in training and capacity building of internal security forces with all their bodies, in the light of technological and digital developments.

The meeting reviewed the efforts made by Tunisia to preserve security and ensure stability in “respect for rights and freedoms,» the statement further said.

During this meeting the US side expressed” its willingness to support Tunisia “, in upholding “reconciliation between the enforcement of laws, on the one hand, and guaranteeing rights and freedoms, on the other hand.»

(TAP)