  We performed high-resolution optical spectroscopy and X-ray observations of
the recently identified Mira-type symbiotic star EF Aql. Based on
high-resolution optical spectroscopy obtained with SALT, we determine the
temperature ($\sim $55 000 K) and the luminosity ($\sim$ 5.3 $L_\odot$) of the
hot component in the system. The heliocentric radial velocities of the emission
lines in the spectra reveal possible stratification of the chemical elements.
We also estimate the mass-loss rate of the Mira donor star. Our Swift
observation did not detect EF Aql in X-rays. The upper limit of the X-ray
observations is 10$^{-12}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, which means that EF Aql is
consistent with the faintest X-ray systems detected so far. Otherwise we
detected it with the UVOT instrument with an average UVM2 magnitude of 14.05.
During the exposure, EF Aql became approximately 0.2 UVM2 magnitudes fainter.
The periodogram analysis of the V-band data reveals an improved period of
320.4$\pm$0.3 d caused by the pulsations of the Mira-type donor star. The
spectra are available upon request from the authors.
