Tunisia's security crucial says Italy

Italy and Tunisia on Tuesday agreed to strengthen military cooperation, the foreign ministry tweeted, calling Tunisia's security "crucial".

"A positive meeting with the new defence minister Brahim Bartagi aimed at boosting bilateral military cooperation.Tunisia's security is crucial for Italy," read the tweet.

After talks with Bartagi, Italy's envoy Lorenzo Fanara underlined his country's strong commitment to supporting Tunisia's development and its military's capacity building, the defence ministry said in a statement cited by local media.

Bartagi hailed Italy as a principal partner of Tunisia's "due to the secular ties that link the two countries and the common challenges they face," the statement was quoted as saying.