It is the responsibility of the German government to bring continued support to Tunisia, said German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen who started a two-day official visit to Tunisia on Tuesday.

The remarks of the visiting official came as she took part in a joint working session with the Security and Defence and the Administrative Affairs and Armed Forces committees at the House of People's Representatives (HPR).

She said security coordination is permanent; German and Tunisian Interior Ministers will focus on the security situation in Tunisia and ways to protect borders, she added.

Co-operation in security will be prioritised and then comes economic co-operation through joint projects, Ursula von der Leyen announced.

A strong economy opens up wide horizons; security and progress are inseparable, she emphasised.

She reminded, in this vein, of the strong relations of economic co-operation. Germany is Tunisia's third economic partner; over 150 German companies are also operating in Tunisia. Some 40,000 Tunisian students are taking German classes and will be the « ambassadors of the future, she highlighted.

The German Defence Minister said 400 servicemen participated in this year’s training programmes which were held in Germany; her country also made a considerable equipment donation to Tunisia.

Ursula von der Leyen Wednesday met with HPR Speaker Mohamed Ennaceur and visited the Bardo Museum with Culture Minister Latifa Lakhdhar.