An official from the Nidaa Tounes party - which leads Tunisia's ruling coalition - described Turkey as a "friendly country" on Tuesday, stressing the importance of Turkish-Tunisian relations.

"You get to know who your friends are during difficult times," Mohamed Imran, head of the party's parliamentary bloc, told Anadolu Agency.

"Turkey has stood by Tunisia during its tough times; that's why it occupies a special place in the hearts of Tunisians, especially for all its support following Jan. 14, 2011," Imran said, in a reference to the popular uprising that ousted longtime Tunisian autocrat Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

"We hope that your relations with Turkey continue to develop for the best interest of both peoples, as both countries enjoy a shared history," Imran added.

In Tunisia's 217-seat parliament, Nidaa Tounes holds 86 seats, while the Islamist Ennahda movement holds 69. The Popular Front and Afek Tounes parties hold 15 and eight seats, respectively.