Tunis — Challenges faced by Tunisia, particularly in marginalised regions, require urgent and direct solutions through mobilisation of national resources and support from friendly countries, said Speaker of the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) Mustapha Ben Jaafar.

During his meeting, Thursday, with President of French PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) region Michel Vauzelle, Ben Jaafar also said the aim is to achieve an economic complementarity to help the country further integrate with the European Union, reads a NCA statement.

"Tunisia is today in a reconstruction phase that should be based on strong foundations," he said, underlining that this will enable the State institutions to send positive messages to youth.

Mr. Ben Jaafar spoke of the NCA works for the coming period which, he said, will focus on completing the debate on the draft constitution ahead of its adoption.

He expressed hope that the new Constitution would strengthen the country's gains and entrench the values of democracy, justice, freedom and equality, added the statement.

Mr. Vauzelle said France is following with deep interest the democratic transition experience in Tunisia which, he added, reflects a strong will to build a democratic State that plays an important role in the South of the Mediterranean.