Tunisia Makes Significant Efforts to Train its Youth
16 October 2009
Read by 1382 persons
Following his working visit to Tunisia, Mr. Eric Besson, French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Solidarity Development, held a press conference yesterday morning at the French ambassador's residence in La Marsa. He presented a comprehensive review of the Tunisian-French agreement on concerted migration management and solidarity development.
Signed in Tunis on October 28, 2008, during the state visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, this agreement, it should be recalled, contains two protocols: the first concerns the management of migratory flows, the second concerns solidarity development.
It was ratified by Tunisia in July 2008. According to Mr. Eric Besson, this agreement was adopted in December 2008 by the French Senate and will soon be adopted by the French National Assembly, allowing the agreement to come into effect in all its provisions.
"Since my appointment as head of this ministry, Tunisia is the first country in the Maghreb that I have visited," the French minister emphasized, advocating for regulated immigration while issuing a strong appeal to the media to further enlighten public opinion on the dangers of illegal immigration and its sinister networks.
M. Eric Besson stated that Tunisia is also a country of immigration for other peoples, which explains the degree of development achieved by our country, which attracts more and more immigrants.
The French minister expressed his great satisfaction with the Tunisian-French agreement on the management of migratory flows and solidarity development, which "fully satisfies both the Tunisian and French parties." He welcomed the quality of the discussions he had with the Prime Minister and the government members he met.
In this context, he indicated that the visa refusal rate in Tunisia is less than 10%, one of the lowest rates of French consulates abroad, adding that it is now easier for Tunisians to obtain visas to go to France, which continues to be a land of regulated immigration.
The French minister stressed that his country is rather in favor of circular immigration, which allows people to travel to and from one country to another.
Referring to the aspect relating to solidarity development, Mr. Eric Besson stated that France committed 18 million euros in 2008 to projects of solidarity development with Tunisia.
These projects are mainly focused on vocational training. "This is all the more important since Tunisia is making considerable efforts – which I want to commend here – to train its youth. Tunisia has opted for a strategy of openness, competitiveness, and productivity. This requires high-quality initial training, and then lifelong training.
Tunisia is one of the emerging countries that dedicates the most resources to the vocational training of its young people. I am pleased that France, and particularly my ministry, is contributing," he affirmed.
The French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Solidarity Development specified that he had just visited the headquarters of the Nessma TV channel. "Information, communication and entertainment are a very promising area in the future, which will be dominated by the service sector. Hence the vital importance of focusing on training, particularly in innovative professions."
He announced that an international colloquium on immigration will be organized in France next September, to which, he emphasized, several Tunisian personalities will be invited. Similarly, a meeting will be devoted in May to the success of Tunisian personalities established in France. The aim is to present Tunisians who have distinguished themselves in business, sports, culture, arts, or medicine.
Published April 4, 2009
Posted online April 6, 2009
allafrica.com
Signed in Tunis on October 28, 2008, during the state visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, this agreement, it should be recalled, contains two protocols: the first concerns the management of migratory flows, the second concerns solidarity development.
It was ratified by Tunisia in July 2008. According to Mr. Eric Besson, this agreement was adopted in December 2008 by the French Senate and will soon be adopted by the French National Assembly, allowing the agreement to come into effect in all its provisions.
"Since my appointment as head of this ministry, Tunisia is the first country in the Maghreb that I have visited," the French minister emphasized, advocating for regulated immigration while issuing a strong appeal to the media to further enlighten public opinion on the dangers of illegal immigration and its sinister networks.
M. Eric Besson stated that Tunisia is also a country of immigration for other peoples, which explains the degree of development achieved by our country, which attracts more and more immigrants.
The French minister expressed his great satisfaction with the Tunisian-French agreement on the management of migratory flows and solidarity development, which "fully satisfies both the Tunisian and French parties." He welcomed the quality of the discussions he had with the Prime Minister and the government members he met.
In this context, he indicated that the visa refusal rate in Tunisia is less than 10%, one of the lowest rates of French consulates abroad, adding that it is now easier for Tunisians to obtain visas to go to France, which continues to be a land of regulated immigration.
The French minister stressed that his country is rather in favor of circular immigration, which allows people to travel to and from one country to another.
Referring to the aspect relating to solidarity development, Mr. Eric Besson stated that France committed 18 million euros in 2008 to projects of solidarity development with Tunisia.
These projects are mainly focused on vocational training. "This is all the more important since Tunisia is making considerable efforts – which I want to commend here – to train its youth. Tunisia has opted for a strategy of openness, competitiveness, and productivity. This requires high-quality initial training, and then lifelong training.
Tunisia is one of the emerging countries that dedicates the most resources to the vocational training of its young people. I am pleased that France, and particularly my ministry, is contributing," he affirmed.
The French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National Identity and Solidarity Development specified that he had just visited the headquarters of the Nessma TV channel. "Information, communication and entertainment are a very promising area in the future, which will be dominated by the service sector. Hence the vital importance of focusing on training, particularly in innovative professions."
He announced that an international colloquium on immigration will be organized in France next September, to which, he emphasized, several Tunisian personalities will be invited. Similarly, a meeting will be devoted in May to the success of Tunisian personalities established in France. The aim is to present Tunisians who have distinguished themselves in business, sports, culture, arts, or medicine.
Published April 4, 2009
Posted online April 6, 2009
allafrica.com
