Germany and Tunisia have had diplomatic relations since the latter gained independence in 1956. Germany is, after France and Italy, Tunisia’s third-largest trading partner and foreign investor. Some 280 German companies are currently active in Tunisia; they employ a total local workforce of 80,000 and have invested more than 350 million euro in the country.

All six German political foundations are represented in Tunis.

Germany supports reform and modernisation processes in Tunisia, as well as civic education and cultural work and Tunisian civil-society initiatives to advance social participation.

Development policy concentrates on the protection of natural resources, in particular integrated water resource management, the expansion of renewable energies, education and training, sustainable growth for good jobs, as well as peace and social cohesion.

Germany’s cultural relations and education policy focuses on promoting the German language, stepping up school and university cooperation arrangements and supporting cultural events. The German Government also supports cultural preservation projects via the German Archaeological Institute. At present, there are six PASCH schools in Tunisia and around 40,000 pupils are learning German as a foreign language.