KASBAH (TAP) - The revitalisation of the Tunisian diplomacy requires an all-out effort to convey a new image of Tunisia as an economic and civilisational destination, said Secretary of State Responsible for Arab World and Africa Abdallah Triki.

During the regular meeting with the press held on Friday in Kasbah, Mr. Triki said Tunisia's repositioning on the international scene requires breaking with the diplomacy of narrow interests adopted under the regime of the deposed president.

He announced the intention of the Government to open embassies and consulates, particularly in countries that are potential destinations of investment and workforce.

The African Union's Summit held recently in Addis Ababa is likely to open broader prospects for Tunisian-African co-operation, particularly in the economic field,

he said,

During this summit, he said, emphasis was placed, in particular, on the need to implement a new co-operation strategy within the Community of Sahel-Saharan States.

It was also agreed to open a new branch of the bank coming under this organisation in Tunis in order to contribute to financing major investment projects and revitalise joint committees with several African countries.

Speaking of the prospects for inter-Maghreb Co-operation, Mr. Triki said President Moncef Marzouki is paying visits to Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania in the next few days, adding that security and economic issues will be discussed during these visits.

Regarding political prisoners, especially in Arab countries, the Secretary of State said the Foreign Affairs Department does not have precise figures and that it seeks to set a final list and will establish a committee to examine efficient mechanisms of intervention for them.

In response to a question on how to secure the border and fight against trafficking networks, Mr. Triki said the Ministry is seeking to co-ordinate with the different concerned services and with neighbour countries to hamper the activities of these networks.