Tunisian-European partnership to develop movie

In his address to the Meeting on the Third Euromed Audiovisual Programme, organised November 14-15 in Tunis on the theme "Strategic Partnership to Develop Cinematographic and Audiovisual Sector," Ambassador and Chief of the European Delegation Adrianus Koetsenruijter said that the gathering was part of the strategy of the European Union and its south Mediterranean partners to develop Euro-Mediterranean audiovisual co-operation. He recalled that the Euromed's first two programmes had helped reinforce inter-cultural dialogue and develop exchanges within the Euro-Mediterranean region, by helping professionals develop, distribute and promote their works on the international market. "The Third Euromed Programme," he specified, "aims to reinforce institutional capacities in the Mediterranean region." Despite its modest means, he pointed out, the Tunisian audiovisual sector has become, along the decades, a successful model in the Mediterranean basin, either by its film industry or by its opening of its televisual landscape, specifying that Tunisia has been endowed with efficient structures with a performing industrial sector that attracted shootings of several international films. Mr. Adrianus Koetsenruijter pointed out that Tunisia has shown a great capacity of keeping abreast of progresses in the new information and audiovisual technologies, estimating that "the Tunisian audiovisual landscape is in need of a healthy and fruitful competitiveness for the whole profession." It is worth specifying that Tunisia actively took part in the two previous programmes of Euromed Audiovisual and signed numerous co-production and audiovisual co-operation agreements with European countries. Tunisian films have also been present in several north Mediterranean festivals.