Two fast coast guards patrol boats were delivered on Monday to Tunisia as part of the Tunisian-American cooperation in the military field.
At an official ceremony at Bizerte Naval Base, Minister of National Defence Farhat Horchani pointed out that these 65-foot rapid intervention patrols constitute the third batch for Tunisia meant for the fight against terrorism, the management of illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, organised crime and rescue at sea.
“The logistic support provided by the United States to Tunisia in the military field has been a great contribution,” said the minister, adding that the efforts of his department will be focused during the period 2017-2020 on strengthening the institution’s infrastructure and improving the living and working conditions of the military.
Attending the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador in Tunis Daniel Rubinstein stressed that this delivery was part of an agreement signed in 2012 between the two countries aimed at the acquisition of 26 Coast Guard boats.
The US diplomat reiterated his country’s determination to support Tunisia’s efforts in the fight against terrorism, including the installation of 13 radar stations all along the Tunisian coast.
Rubinstein said his country was expected to contribute in 2017 to strengthening Tunisia’s surveillance capabilities along its borders with Libya.
TAP
