Extremists' attack on a national museum in Tunisia's capital that killed 22 people, mostly foreign tourists, has alarmed the international community and prompted EU officials to pledge more aid to the country for better security, AFP reported.
EU officials said Friday they plan to visit Tunisia on March 31 in efforts to boost cooperation and show solidarity after the militant attack on Bardo National Museum in Tunis.
"The European Union and its member states will intensify cooperation with Tunisia to counter this common terrorist threat, to strengthen Tunisia's promising democracy and to assist its economic and social development," EU leaders said in a statement during a summit in Brussels.
Daesh (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attacks. While still unconfirmed, the US is investigating the group's claims and said the attacks are consistent with the militants' previous violence. Nine suspects were arrested a day after the deaths.
Tunisia had formerly been credited as a success story of the Arab Spring movement, after which the country established a democratic government. EU states said they want to boost elected authorities in the nation surrounded by regional tensions.
Twenty foreign tourists and one policeman were killed in the shootings.
