(TAP) - Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh had a phone talk on Tuesday with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell Fontelles.

According to a press release posted on the EU's official website, the phone talk offered the occasion for the European official to "reaffirm the EU's solidarity with Tunisia and the Tunisian people in this difficult time, as testified to by the rapid disbursement of €250 million in support of the Tunisian budget for 2020.

"This decision, made in agreement with Tunisia, aims to support the Tunisian efforts to cope with the coronavirus pandemic," said the same source

"Both High Representative Borrell and Premier Fakhfakh underlined the importance of international cooperation to address the challenges posed by the coronavirus," the same source reported, adding that the EU High Representative informed Elyes Fakhfakh of the meeting of the European development ministers to be held on Wednesday to define a common European approach and support partner countries in combatting the coronavirus.

The meeting also focused on the importance of continuing to deepen the strategic partnership between the European Union and Tunisia, the press release pointed out.