Mr. Rafik Abdessalem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, paid a visit to Turkey on 10-11 January 2012 upon the invitation of Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey.

This visit has a special importance in terms of relations between Turkey and Tunisia since it constitutes the first official visit abroad by Mr. Rafik Abdessalem, in his capacity as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Tunisia, which was established in Tunisia on 23 December 2011 in the wake of the Jasmine Revolution.

At the meetings between Mr. Davutoğlu and Tunisian Foreign Minister Mr. Abdessalem bilateral relations as well as regional developments were discussed.

During the visit, “2012 Turkey - Tunisia Action Plan for Bilateral Cooperation” was signed by the Ministers. Action plan envisages increase of contacts between the officials of two states; organization of high level meetings with participation of related institutions; more cooperation and solidarity in the framework of regional and global forums such as UN, NATO/Mediterranean Dialogue, EUROMED, OIC and other regional organizations and determines cooperation areas to be strengthened and agreement topics to be signed in 2012.