Rome: On Monday, Sergio Mattarella, the president of Italy, promised to support Tunisia "in the important challenges the country faces."

After taking part on Sunday in a forum on migration and development in the Mediterranean region sponsored by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Kais Saied, the president of Tunisia, and Mattarella met to discuss the relationship between the two countries. Mattarella reaffirmed to his counterpart "the deep and concrete bond which links Tunisia and Italy together."

"You have met with Prime Minister Meloni several times over the past few months, and you are well aware of Italy's positions, orientations, and initiatives to support your country," Mattarella said to Saied.

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Meloni has been very active in recent months in presenting Tunisia's perspective to other nations in regards to discussions for a loan of nearly $1.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund.

Before granting the loan, the IMF requires the Tunisian government to implement a number of reforms. However, Tunisia is asking for the release of a first tranche of funding right away, with the remaining loan balance able to be repaid in accordance with the advancement of reforms.

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Last week, the EU and Tunisia signed a deal that will see Tunisia receive €105 million ($117 million) in direct European aid to stop migrant boats from leaving the North African nation and fight people smugglers. Italy has been a vocal advocate for this agreement within the EU Commission.

"Our peoples and countries have a very high level of friendship and cooperation, and we are on your side. We want to work together more frequently. Mattarella said.

Saied met with various individuals in a number of bilateral settings before travelling to Rome. He discussed "the historical fraternal relations" between their nations with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah "in order to develop them in the interest of both peoples," according to a statement from the Tunisian presidency.

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Saied and Dbeibah also talked about the "need to further strengthen opportunities for reciprocal coordination and consultation on issues of common interest," starting with "the phenomenon of irregular immigration and trafficking in human beings, and its negative effects not only on Tunisia and Libya but also on the Mediterranean region."

Saied praised "the strong fraternal relations and cooperation" between their countries and emphasised "the promising opportunities... to further develop their historical ties, particularly in the fields of renewable and alternative energy, water desalination, healthcare and education, and other sectors," according to the Tunisian presidency. Saied met with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the UAE.