Tunisia Mobilizes Support ahead of IMF Talks

Tunisia is mobilizing support ahead of IMF talks.
Tunisia is mobilizing support ahead of IMF talks.
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Tunisia Mobilizes Support ahead of IMF Talks

Tunisia is mobilizing support ahead of IMF talks.
Tunisia is mobilizing support ahead of IMF talks.

Tunisia is preparing to head to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in May to persuade the Fund to support its domestic economic reforms programs.

Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi held a series of preparatory meetings ahead of the talks.

Ambassador of the United States in Tunis Donald Blome affirmed during talks with the PM on Thursday his country's support for Tunisia in its negotiations with the IMF to raise necessary financial resources.

Blome added that the US administration is fully ready to support Tunisia's development efforts and ensure the success of the democratic process, the Prime Ministry said in a statement.

The ambassador also welcomed the progress made in the development program led by the Millennium Challenge Corporation in Tunisia, which will provide about $500 million in donations to support the national economy, especially in transportation and agriculture.

Ambassador of the European Union to Tunisia, Marcus Cornaro, on Thursday, expressed the EU's full support to the efforts of the Tunisian government in its national economic reform program.

Speaking during a meeting with Mechichi in Kasbah on Thursday, Cornaro added that the EU has support and cooperation mechanisms that will be made available to the Tunisian government, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry.

He stressed that the EU will be the first to defend Tunisia with member countries through ambitious investment and employment programs.

According to the IMF, Tunisia ended 2020 with an 8.8 percent recession. Tunisia’s current budget has a deficit of TND18.5 billion ($6.7 billion) and is likely to increase, according to preliminary estimates.



Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin
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Putin, Al-Sudani Discuss OPEC+ Coordination on Oil Price Stability

Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Thursday discussed the importance of coordination between OPEC and OPEC+ members on oil price stability in a manner that guarantees fair prices for exporters and consumers.

Putin held a phone call with al-Sudani during which they discussed the OPEC+ oil agreement and the situation in the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

The telephone conversation came days prior to an OPEC+ key meeting expected early next month.

Reuters said that OPEC+ may push back output increases again when it meets on Dec. 1 due to weak global oil demand, according to three OPEC+ sources familiar with the discussions. Ministers last shelved the increase for a month when they met virtually on Nov. 3.

In a statement, the Kremlin on Thursday said Putin and Al-Sudani touched upon various aspects of coordination as part of OPEC+, a format that helps maintain stability in the global oil market, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing to coordinate steps in this format.

The Middle East issues were also mentioned in light of the unprecedented escalation of tensions in the region, it added.

The parties also agreed on further contacts at various levels, the statement said.

Later, Al-Sudani’s office said the phone call touched on energy-related matters, highlighting the importance of coordination among all concerned countries within OPEC and the OPEC+ group to stabilize oil and gas prices, ensuring fair pricing for both producers and consumers.