LOC20:32
17:32 GMT
Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi meets with French National Assembly (parliament) Speaker Claude Bartolone
TUNIS, April 29 (KUNA) -- French National Assembly (parliament) Speaker Claude Bartolone said Friday Paris was ready to step up its support for Tunisia bilaterally or via the EU to help it overcome security and economic challenges.
Bartolone, during a meeting with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi in the Presidential Palace in Carthage, commended the democratic transformation in the north African country, the presidency said in a statement.
Essebsi hoped France would continue its support for democracy in Tunisia as well as help the country address economic, social and security challenges.
Bartolone, who arrived in Tunis yesterday, also met with Prime Minister Habib Essid and discussed economic and security cooperation between France and Tunisia.
He commended the Tunisian government's efforts to maintain security and stability nationwide in order to provide suitable environment for tourists and businesspeople.
Bartolone met yesterday with Tunisian parliament speaker Mohammad Nasser and launched a 36-month-long twinning project between the two houses, allocating 1.63 million euros for the venture. (end)
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