The Minister of Economy and Trade in the Government of National Unity, Mohammed Al-Huweij, signed an agreement with the Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Fadelllah Ben Hamza, that includes the establishment of a joint free economic zone at the Ras Ajdair border crossing, Hakometna platform said on Wednesday, adding that the agreement also includes lifting restrictions on citizens of the two countries, in addition to cooperation and trade exchange, and facilitating the procedures for entering goods of foreign origin into Libya through Tunisian ports.

The spokesman for the Government of National Unity, Mohammed Hammouda, said in a statement that the agreement includes the formation of a joint working group that will study the establishment of a joint border economic zone between Libya and Tunisia on the Ras Ajdair border, as well as the free entry of goods between the two countries and the lifting of all restrictions, in addition to facilitating administrative and financial procedures of Libyan businesspersons.

"It also includes the formation of a joint working group for food and drug security between the two countries, inviting Libyan and Tunisian businesspersons to participate and invest in infrastructure projects, emphasizing the application of mutual recognition to certificates of conformity and quality, in addition to facilitating the entry of goods of foreign origin imported to Libya through Tunisian ports, and the conclusion of a twinning agreement between the Libyan Competition Council and its Tunisian counterpart." He added.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hammouda announced the signing of an agreement to launch a sea line to transport passengers and goods between Libyan and Tunisian ports, and the formation of a technical team from the Libyan and Tunisian ministries of transportation to prepare the necessary preparations for the opening of the line at the end of this year.

This announcement came in bilateral meetings that included the Libyan Minister of Transport and Tunisian Minister of Transport, during which a memorandum of understanding was signed for scientific and technical cooperation in the field of meteorology, climate and fighting climate change. The two ministers also agreed to open the new lanes at the Ras Ajdair crossing by the end of November to reduce overcrowding, in addition to the presence of special corridors for ambulances.

A Tunisian ministerial delegation made of the ministers of industry, energy, transport and trade, and the director of the Tunisian Company for Refining Industries, began a visit to Libya on Wednesday, during which they met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Najla Al-Mangoush, who discussed with the delegation the bilateral cooperation relations and the strengthening of the strategic partnership that brings the two countries together in all fields to serve the interests of the two peoples.

The delegation also met the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who stressed the need to intensify security cooperation between Libya and Tunisia, increase trade exchange and ease restrictions.