Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad Nabil Ammar met on Thursday evening with Côte d'Ivoire Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Diaspora Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, within the framework of his participation in the forty-fourth session of the Executive Council of the African Union. The meeting reaffirmed the convergence of views on a range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation, and addressed various regional and international matters of mutual interest, as per a Ministry press release. The meeting emphasised the importance of Tunisian business and trade presence in Côte d'Ivoire, with both sides looking forward to further supporting and developing it to serve the interests of both peoples. They stressed the importance of continuing consultations, mutual cooperation, and coordination at the regional and international levels. Light was also shed on Ivorian business presence and investment in Tunisia and the importance of supporting it. The movement of individuals b etween the two countries and the procedures governing it, as well as the situation of the Ivorian community in Tunisia were discussed. In this context, Minister Ammar reminded of the systematic campaign launched by various parties against Tunisian state institutions concerning the issue of Sub-Saharan Africans in Tunisia. He emphasised the firm convictions of the Tunisian people known for their tolerance and openness, and affirmed that some parties had an interest in making the issue of sub-Saharan African migrants in Tunisia a tool to serve rejected purposes and agendas. On his part, the Ivorian Foreign Minister praised the historical relations between the two countries, expressing understanding for the campaign of disruption Tunisia faced due to the situation of migrants present there illegally. He affirmed his country's appreciation for the efforts of the Tunisian state in finding effective solutions to ensure effective governance of migration phenomenon in general and irregular migration in particular. He also pointed to several indications suggesting that many irregular migrants of other nationalities use fake passports and identities to falsely claim affiliation with Côte d'Ivoire, given the benefits that can be enjoyed and utilised due to such affiliation in several North African countries. The ministers agreed, in this context, on further coordination and bilateral consultation between the relevant technical agencies regarding passports issued by both countries. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse