France vows to support Tunisia’s stability and security

French President Francois Hollande yesterday vowed to support the strengthening of Tunisia’s security and stability.

“France is there [for Tunisia] and has always been there to support the efforts of Tunisian democracy and for its development,” Hollande said in a statement after a meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed

France is Tunisia’s main trading partner and a leading foreign investor. Hollande said he was paying “particular attention” to Tunisia’s security situation especially following the “not so distant terror attacks there”.

He added that Tunisia is affected by “what is happening in Libya, which demands that we find solutions for this neighbour of Tunisia.”

France current trains Tunisian security forces which Hollande said now operated “with more and more effectiveness”.

“There are uncertainties, there is a situation which has just taken place in the United States, France is here [and] will fully play its role and will assume its responsibilities everywhere,” Hollande added.

Chahed, who is leading a large government and business delegation to France, was received at the Elysee Palace.