Tunisia, Italy pledge to jointly fight illegal immigration

Tunisian President Kais Saied (R) meets with visiting Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani in Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 18, 2023. Senior officials of Tunisia and Italy met on Wednesday in Tunis, vowing to combat illegal immigration together, according to the Tunisian presidency. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)

TUNIS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials of Tunisia and Italy met on Wednesday in Tunis, vowing to combat illegal immigration together, according to the Tunisian presidency.

Tunisian President Kais Saied met with visiting Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, during which the two sides agreed that immigration is not only a matter of security but needs a comprehensive answer from the governments.

They expressed a common desire to develop partnerships in various fields, said the statement.

On Jan. 11, Tunisian and Italian foreign ministers held a phone conversation to discuss bilateral ties and the issue of irregular immigration.

Thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean every year as Tunisia is one of the main points of access to Europe through irregular channels.

Tunisian President Kais Saied (L) shakes hands with visiting Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani during their meeting in Tunis, Tunisia, on Jan. 18, 2023. Senior officials of Tunisia and Italy met on Wednesday in Tunis, vowing to combat illegal immigration together, according to the Tunisian presidency. (Tunisian Presidency/Handout via Xinhua)