TUNIS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied met with Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto on Monday in the capital Tunis to discuss bilateral ties and illegal immigration issue, according to a presidency statement.

During the meeting, Saied reiterated his country's desire to further boost relations with Hungary and explore opportunities for collaboration, especially in the areas of renewable energies, trade, education, food safety and transport.

"Our two countries share strong bonds of friendship and values of freedom and independence of national decision-making, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1956," said Saied.

"Tunisia will not accept the settlement of immigrants on its soil," the president added, calling for a collective approach to eliminating the root causes of illegal immigration.

For his part, Szijjarto said Europe is facing a serious scourge of illegal immigration, calling on European countries to support the coast guards in North African countries to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants crossing the Mediterranean to Italy.

Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the main departure points for migrants seeking irregular entry into Europe.

The number of illegal immigrants heading for Italy from the Tunisian coast has been increasing despite the strict measures taken by the Tunisian authorities. Enditem

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