Martin Day's Tunis visit 21-24 October 2009
Martin Day, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Arabic Spokesperson, was in Tunis for a four-day visit, 21-24 October 2009. He was invited by the International Studies Association (AEI) to take part in an International Symposium on “Palestine and the Middle East” (October 23, 2009 at Tunisia Palace Hotel).
Mr Day talked about the British perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the actions the British government was taking in order to make the peace process move forward. He then interacted with the audience during the debate that followed his presentation.
“The seminar”, Mr Day said, “was a reminder that Palestine is a live issue for many Tunisians and one they care about intensely. All the more important that we all support current US efforts to bring about a lasting and just peace with the creation of a viable Palestinian state and Israel living in peace and security with its neighbours.”
Martin Day also met with officials from the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) regarding projects the British Embassy had delivered jointly with UGTT. Additionally, he met with M'hamed Hassine Fantar, Holder of the Ben Ali Chair for Dialogue among Civilisations and Religions and Member of the Chamber of Councilors. He then gave interviews to various Tunisian media outlets, the public TV satellite channel (TV7) and the print press (Assabah and Hakayek).
At the end of his visit, Mr Day said:
“I had not visited Tunisia since I was a child so I was intrigued to see what it would be like. As ever on such trips, there was little time to look around. But I did get a chance to visit the Medina and savour the Meditarranean feel of Tunis with its warm winter sun and street cafes.”
Mr Day talked about the British perspective on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the actions the British government was taking in order to make the peace process move forward. He then interacted with the audience during the debate that followed his presentation.
“The seminar”, Mr Day said, “was a reminder that Palestine is a live issue for many Tunisians and one they care about intensely. All the more important that we all support current US efforts to bring about a lasting and just peace with the creation of a viable Palestinian state and Israel living in peace and security with its neighbours.”
Martin Day also met with officials from the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) regarding projects the British Embassy had delivered jointly with UGTT. Additionally, he met with M'hamed Hassine Fantar, Holder of the Ben Ali Chair for Dialogue among Civilisations and Religions and Member of the Chamber of Councilors. He then gave interviews to various Tunisian media outlets, the public TV satellite channel (TV7) and the print press (Assabah and Hakayek).
At the end of his visit, Mr Day said:
“I had not visited Tunisia since I was a child so I was intrigued to see what it would be like. As ever on such trips, there was little time to look around. But I did get a chance to visit the Medina and savour the Meditarranean feel of Tunis with its warm winter sun and street cafes.”
