H.E. Othman Jerandi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tunisia, paid a courtesy visit to Abdellatif Ghedira, the Executive Director of the International Olive Council, at headquarters.
He was welcomed by the entire management board and by the Tunisian officials within the IOC. The two senior officials discussed the IOC’s mission in the olive sector and Tunisia’s important contribution.
The visit was followed by a broader meeting including the two Deputy Directors and all the Heads of Units of the Organisation, as well as the Heads of the Legal and Observatory Departments. The meeting was also attended by all IOC staff by video conference.
The Executive Director welcomed the Minister and the accompanying delegation. He then gave the floor to the Deputy Executive Director in charge of operational activities, who gave an overview of the IOC’s activities, highlighting Tunisia’s contribution and participation in the work of the Organisation.
He also informed the Minister of the first prize obtained by a Tunisian operator in the Mario Solinas Quality Award, the IOC’s annual competition for the best extra virgin olive oils, which was a first for Tunisian olive oils.
A short video was shown, dedicated to the celebration of the IOC’s 60th anniversary, before the Deputy Executive Director for Administrative and Financial Affairs took the floor to welcome the Minister and thank him for his visit.
At the end of the meeting, the Tunisian Minister congratulated the IOC for its hard work. He pointed out that he had always been a fan of olive oil and that throughout his diplomatic career he had never stopped promoting this blessed product. He concluded by offering gifts of bottles and cases of olive oil.
Photos were taken to mark the event.