The 13th annual meeting of the U.S.-Tunisia Joint Military Commission concluded
November 16 following three days of discussions. Secretary of Defense William
Perry welcomed Minister of Defense Abdelaziz Ben Dhia to the Pentagon on
November 14 to begin the consultations. Secretary Perry and Minister Ben Dhia
had a fruitful discussion about U.S.-Tunisian security relations.
The U.S. delegation to the formal talks was led by Principal Deputy Under
Secretary of Defense for Policy Jan Lodal. Minister Ben Dhia led the Tunisian
delegation. Over the course of the meetings, the U.S. and Tunisian teams
discussed a range of bilateral issues including regional threats, military
cooperation, joint exercises, and training and personnel exchange programs.
U.S.-Tunisian defense relations are long-standing and mutually beneficial to
both countries. The meetings underscored the importance the U.S. attaches to
Tunisia's security and stability and further strengthened the defense ties
between the U.S. and Tunisia.
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