This afternoon, Antonio Tajani, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, had a telephone conversation with Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, to discuss the latest political and economic developments of the Tunisian crisis.
During the conversation, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister – Tajani – stressed how coordination between the Italian and the US governments is needed in this regard and urged for quick, proper and effective economic and financial assistance to Tunisia on behalf of the international community.
“Tunisia plays a fundamental role for the stability and safety of the Mediterranean area”, explained Tajani to Blinken, “supported by the EU and the US, Italy is ready to help restore the stability in the country”, continued the Minister of Foreign Affairs. “A joint action is required”, said Tajani, “to allow the main International Financial Institutions supporting Tunisia, which, in turn, should introduce a course of effective and sustainable reforms”, as also emphasised by Kristalina Georgieva, – managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
Over these months, Italy has been working to strengthen cooperation among the countries of the enlarged Mediterranean area and fostering increased collaboration on the main subjects of common interest to ensure stability in the region, starting from the migration dossier.
Last week, upon the request of the Italian government, Tunisia was invited to join the discussions held by the European Council and the EU Council of Foreign Ministries, which laid the foundations for the EU to commit to helping the country’s recovery, more specifically through an additional macroeconomic aid package.