Tunisia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Al-Nafti, announced that the country's foreign affairs budget for 2027 has been set at 404,150 thousand dinars. This represents a 9.1% increase compared to the 370,225 thousand dinars allocated in 2026. The budget accounts for 0.59% of the state's overall budget.
The 2027 budget for foreign affairs is divided into three main programs: diplomatic work, consular work, and leadership and support. Diplomatic work receives the largest share, accounting for 61% of the budget, followed by consular work at 29%, and leadership and support at 9%.
The budget is further divided into four allocations: rental expenses, operating expenses, intervention expenses, and investment expenses. Rental expenses are set at 225,784 thousand dinars, while operating expenses are allocated 96,632 thousand dinars. Intervention expenses and investment expenses receive 64,284 thousand dinars and 17,450 thousand dinars, respectively.
Minister Al-Nafti emphasized that Tunisia's diplomacy is committed to upholding the country's foreign policy constants, including maintaining national sovereignty, independence of national decision-making, and adhering to international legitimacy and law. The ministry aims to utilize Tunisia's external relations and international partnerships to serve national development goals and protect the interests of the country and Tunisians abroad.
The minister also highlighted the increasing financial and logistical challenges faced by the ministry, such as rising costs for operating and maintaining diplomatic and consular missions abroad. He stressed the need to develop infrastructure, equipment, and secure communication systems.
Members of parliament discussed several issues related to diplomacy, consular services, and Tunisians abroad during the session. They raised concerns about vacancies in diplomatic missions and "Dar Tunis" headquarters, as well as the need to facilitate the process of obtaining official documents, particularly passports, within a reasonable timeframe.
In response to these concerns, Minister Al-Nafti assured that the presidency is committed to filling vacancies in diplomatic missions as soon as possible and accelerating the issuance of biometric passports. He also confirmed that efforts are underway to upgrade the role of social attachés in foreign missions in response to the aspirations of the Tunisian community abroad.
Key points
- The 2027 budget for foreign affairs in Tunisia has increased by 9.1% compared to 2026.
- The budget is divided into three main programs: diplomatic work, consular work, and leadership and support.
- The ministry aims to utilize Tunisia's external relations to serve national development goals and protect the interests of the country and Tunisians abroad.
