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Tunisia and the United States:
Relations between the two countries have blossomed since Tunisia's independence. The United States was the first country to recognize Tunisia's independence in 1956. In 1957, the two nations concluded an economic and technical assistance agreement.
The $ 2.5 billion development assistance program was implemented for more than 35 years under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Cooperation covered housing and infrastructure projects, education, agriculture, industry and a variety of other fields. The United States Peace Corps also maintained an active program in Tunisia for 34 years (1962-1996). As part of that program, more than 2,000 American volunteers worked in Tunisia. The US development program in Tunisia was considered among the most successful of its kind. During the cold war, the United States could count on Tunisia as an ally for peace and freedom in the world.
Between 1987 and 1993, the United States also contributed to the implementation of Tunisia's Structural Adjustment Program, a far reaching effort which has allowed Tunisia to establish the bases of a sound market-economy.
Tunisia’s economic progress led however to the discontinuation of direct assistance and to the end of such programs as US-AID and the Peace Corps. Focus therefore shifted to the promotion of business and investment.
In 1998, Mr. Stuart Eizenstat, undersecretary of state for economic, Business and agricultural affairs, proposed a new partnership between the United States and the Maghreb, a regional grouping that includes Tunisia. U.S. Ambassador Robin Raphel noted, "Up to this point, American investments compared to European investments have been fairly modest, but this number will soon go up. Our commercial department has seen an increase in inquiries from American businesses. There is much here that's attractive for investors. The Eizenstat initiative would definitely stimulate contacts between the two countries' private sectors resulting in an increase in investment and trade and would also promote the idea of regional cooperation."
With indicators pointing to sustained prosperity and growth in Tunisia, American businessmen are interested in investing in Tunisia. During President’s Ben Ali last visit to Washington, in 1990, a treaty for the promotion of investments was signed by both countries.
Tunisia, which has welcomed the US-North Africa partnership initiative, better known as "the Eizenstat Initiative", is signatory to an association and free trade area agreement with the European Union.
Since President Ben Ali’s last visit to Washington in 1990 lots of things have changed in Tunisia and in Tunisian American relations. But a few things remained the same. Amongst them is the fact the two countries continue to maintain good if not excellent relations between them. Cooperation on such delicate foreign issues such as the Middle East peace process has helped cement the relations. "If all our foreign relations were as faithfully observed as this one, our foreign relations would be more serene," said last March US Senator Daniel Inouye.
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Table of Contents A crash course in 3000 years of world history |
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The relationship between Tunisia and the United States dates back to more than 200 years. It has always been characterized by mutual good-will and cooperation. The two countries signed a bilateral treaty in 1797. The document, ratified by US President John Adams in 1800, had to do with navigation and commerce and provided for mutual assistance in the Mediterranean. The Bey of Tunis sent its first envoy to the United States in 1805. Tunisia offered its protection and assistance to American trading vessels during their operations in this part of the world. Also, "during American's darkest hour, the civil war," notes Republican Senator Spence Abraham, "Tunisia supported the anti-slavery movement and its leaders conversed with American officials on the significance of human dignity."