Italy's deep amity and support for its southern Mediterranean neighbour, Tunisia, will continue as the country enters a "delicate phase" with early presidential and parliamentary polls this autumn, premier Giuseppe Conte wrote on Thursday.
"Italy will continue to ensure its enduring support and its strong friendship to neighbouring Tunisia, to ensure it can continue to represent a virtuous example of political transition towards democracy, peace and justice," Conte stated.
Relations between Italy and Tunisia will never depend on which Italian parties are in power, Conte underlined.
He wrote the remarks in a book of condolences for Tunisia's late president Caid Essebsi, during a visit to the Tunisian embassy in Rome.
Essebsi "was a statesman of great political experience and humanity, who was a reference point for his country and also for the entire region. He led his people through the democratisation process even-handedly and with foresight," Conte wrote.
Essebsi died last week aged 92 and hours after his death, parliament speaker Mohamed Ennaceur was sworn in as interim president in line with the constitution in a smooth transition of power. A presidential election is set for 15 September, two months earlier than scheduled, while a parliamentary vote is set for 6 October.
