Speaking to reporters, Jerandi said the Tunisian-Kuwaiti joint committee on cooperation will meet in late June, voicing desire to elevate the representation level to the prime ministerial level.
"The GCC states are a strategic depth for Tunisia and the other Arab countries at large. Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Laareydh plans to visit a number of GCC states soon," he said.
"Tunisia maintains close historical ties with the GCC states and holds identical views with them on many regional and international issues," the minister noted.
Since the very beginning of the Syrian crisis more than two years ago, both sides have maintained a principled stance in support of the Syrian people’s right to freedom and democracy, he noted.
Jerandi recalled that his government severed ties with the Syrian regime early last year in a bid to press the regime into stopping the repressive policy against the people.
"We aspire that the Syrian people will enjoy democracy, freedom and dignity no less than that enjoyed by the Tunisia, Egyptian and Libyan peoples," he affirmed.
Asked by KUNA on the destiny of the Tunisians trapped in Syria after severing the diplomatic ties, Jerandi said his government addresses this dossier from a humanitarian and legal perspective.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is negotiating with the Syrian regime for the release of the Tunisian nationals, he pointed out.
He refuted recent allegations that Tunisia will hand over its embassy in Damascus to the Syrian opposition forces, citing relevant international laws.
