On Tuesday, Tunisian President Kais Saied discussed military cooperation between the two countries as well as the issue of irregular migration with Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
According to a press release from the Tunisian Presidency, a meeting was held at the Presidential Palace in Carthage between Saied and Guerini, who began an indefinite visit to Tunisia.
In the statement, it is said that “the meeting was an opportunity to address issues related to military cooperation between the two countries, within the framework of the 23rd session of the Tunisian-Italian military commission, and to the treatment of the problem of irregular migration according to a new approach.”
The two parties exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, the same source said.
During the meeting, Saied reaffirmed “Tunisia’s desire to further consolidate the historical ties of friendship that unite it with Italy, as evidenced by the mutual support between the two countries to face the COVID-19 pandemic, and the promotion of cooperation and partnership mechanisms in all areas, as well as the strengthening of consultation and coordination between the two countries.”
For his part, the Italian Defense Minister “welcomed the depth and solidity of Tunisian-Italian relations, reiterating his country’s willingness to support Tunisia at bilateral and European levels and with international donors as well as to accompany it to meet the challenges it faces,” according to the Tunisian Presidency.
Almost daily, Tunisian security and military forces thwart attempts at irregular migration to Europe, particularly to the Italian coasts, and intercept hundreds of people.
