TUNIS, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday summoned Giuseppe Perrone, ambassador of the European Union to Tunisia, to lodge a strong protest over what he described as non-compliance with diplomatic protocols, the Tunisian presidency said on Wednesday.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, the presidency said Saied delivered a "strongly worded protest" to Perrone over conduct deemed outside the "official frameworks recognized in diplomatic practice."

The move came after a meeting held on Monday between Perrone and Noureddine Taboubi, secretary-general of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), the country's largest trade union.

Relations between the presidency and the UGTT have been strained in recent weeks after Taboubi announced that the union plans to organize a general strike to defend workers' rights amid rising living pressures.

According to a separate statement posted by the EU delegation to Tunisia, Perrone reaffirmed during his meeting with Taboubi the EU's readiness to continue dialogue with the UGTT and to support Tunisia socially and economically across various sectors.

He also praised the UGTT for its role in promoting social dialogue and contributing to the country's economic development. Enditem