TUNIS: Tunisian Foreign Minister Nabil Ammar has praised Italy's understanding and support for his country's economic recovery efforts, as Tunisia negotiates a loan of nearly $1.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

At a ceremony in Rome on Friday, Ammar thanked Italy for its efforts to explain Tunisia's point of view to other countries regarding the IMF negotiations.

He described Italy's backing of Tunisia as "intelligent and constructive," particularly in light of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's call for the IMF to adopt a "practical" approach to disbursing funds to Tunisia "without preconditions" at last month's G7 Summit.

Ammar emphasized the need for solidarity among Mediterranean countries and others worldwide in addressing the challenges posed by migration.

He expressed hope that a regional conference on migration proposed by Tunisian President Kais Saied would be accepted, allowing for a more effective response to the phenomenon that takes into account its humanitarian dimension.

The proposal was discussed during Saied's meeting with Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi on May 15, and Meloni accepted Saied's invitation to pay an official visit to Tunisia next week.