On October 5, 2026, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti welcomed Dacian Cioloș, advisor to the Romanian President and candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tunis. This meeting took place ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit, scheduled for November 15-16, 2026, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where the election for the OIF Secretary-General will occur.
During the meeting, Minister Nafti emphasized the strong friendship and cooperation between Tunisia and Romania, particularly in the academic and university sectors. He expressed Tunisia's desire to further enhance economic cooperation and increase trade exchanges between the two countries by encouraging visits, missions, and economic forums. This meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral relations.
Minister Nafti underscored Tunisia's significant role in the OIF as a founding member and its commitment to the organization's principles, which focus on mutual respect, cultural diversity, equality, and empowering youth and women. He emphasized Tunisia's interest in the OIF continuing to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation among its member states.
The Tunisian Foreign Minister also recalled his country's ongoing contributions to Francophone initiatives, including hosting the 18th Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, in November 2022. The summit's theme was "Digital Transformation as a Driver of Development in the Francophone Space." This event demonstrated Tunisia's commitment to the Francophone community.
Dacian Cioloș praised the historical and excellent relations between Romania and Tunisia, reaffirming his country's commitment to developing bilateral cooperation, particularly in education and economic sectors. He also expressed his support for strengthening partnerships between universities and economic institutions in both countries.
Cioloș outlined his vision for the OIF, focusing on diversity and integration among cultures and peoples within the Francophone space. He emphasized that, if elected Secretary-General, he would leverage his experience in politics and European institutions to enhance the OIF's role and relationships with member states, particularly African countries.
The meeting between Minister Nafti and Cioloș demonstrated the shared commitment of Tunisia and Romania to promoting cooperation and understanding within the Francophone community. Both parties acknowledged the importance of the OIF in fostering dialogue and collaboration among its member states.
Key points
- Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti met with Romanian candidate Dacian Cioloș for the OIF Secretary-General position.
- The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing the OIF's role in promoting cooperation among Francophone countries.
- The 20th Francophonie Summit will take place in Cambodia on November 15-16, 2026, where the OIF Secretary-General will be elected.
