US Secretary of State John Kerry stressed Washington's support for Tunisia's young democracy during "strategic dialogue" Friday aimed at strengthening the partnership between the allies, including on the economic front. "The eyes of the world are on Tunisia and America wants Tunisia to succeed," Kerry said at a joint press conference with his Tunisian counterpart Taieb Baccouche. "The US remains deeply invested in strengthening Tunisia's economy," he added. The United States had given the North African country more than $700 million since its 2011 revolution.
Baccouche said the dialogue, after initial talks last year, involved military, security and economic cooperation. A US State Department official said earlier that Kerry's visit was expected to examine a request from Tunis for an additional $500 million in loan guarantees. Baccouche told reporters that a letter of intent had been signed to this effect, adding that Tunis was seeking a "five-year aid programme". Unlike other regional countries plunged into chaos by the Arab Spring, Tunisia has managed its political transition, and Washington sees this as a response to those who claim that Islam and democracy are incompatible.
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