Earlier today, the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, had a telephone conversation with the new Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Ali Nafti.
“First of all, Minister Ali Nafti and I had an in-depth discussion on the situation in the Middle East and the need for regional de-escalation,” said Tajani. “We decided to continue working together towards a stabilisation of the region and to coordinate on the protection and mutual assistance of Italian and Tunisian nationals in Lebanon.” Minister Tajani confirmed the Italian government’s strong commitment to a ceasefire in Lebanon as well as in Gaza. Italy is committed to assisting the civilian population by sending new humanitarian aid to the Lebanese population.
Minister Tajani then “confirmed to the Tunisian Minister the importance that the Italian government attaches to strengthening the partnership between Italy and Tunisia. There are strategic sectors with great potential that we can further develop, starting with the energy sector, in which our two countries can play a key role as a bridge between Europe and Africa,” the Minister continued, also recalling Tunisia’s priority role in the implementation of the Mattei Plan.
Minister Tajani then expressed his satisfaction for trade cooperation – with Italy as Tunisia’s leading partner – and for the results obtained in the fight against human trafficking by Tunisian authorities, stating that “it is important to continue working together to fully implement the Memorandum signed between the European Union and Tunisia in July 2023, which is a successful example of migrant management.”
Finally, Tajani said that “Italy is closely following the campaign for the presidential elections on 6 October. Only with a democratic process will it be possible to ensure the stability of the country.”
