State Department announces inaugural U.S.-Tunisia Strategic Dialogue

WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday the inauguration of the U.S.-Tunisia Strategic Dialogue.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns and Tunisian Foreign Minister Monji Hamdi led the delegations in a "wide-ranging discussion" about ways in which the U.S. and Tunisia can develop their relationship to address economic, security and political challenges facing Tunisia.

Tunisia has struggled politically and economically in the years since the Jasmine Revolution in 2011.

The officials discussed Tunisia's "most recent successes" which include ratification of the constitution and the new government formation. The deputy secretary expressed America's "support for fostering a safe and secure environment that is conducive to political stability, security and economic prosperity and that strengthens civil society, empowers youth, and solidifies the foundations of democracy."

The next Strategic Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Tunis in 2015.

Thursday's meeting follows a visit to Tunisia by Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom in March. While there, she met with government officials, business leaders, students and community representatives to bolster the U.S-Tunisia relationship. The State Department noted last month that U.S. support to Tunisia's political stabilization and economic rejuvenation "is a top priority for the United States."

[State Department]