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DJ Putin: Berlusconi Can Help Improve EU-Russia Relations - AFP

DJ Putin: Berlusconi Can Help Improve EU-Russia Relations - AFP
DJ
Παρ, 18 Απριλίου 2008 - 08:15
PORTO ROTONDO, Italy (AFP)--Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he was counting on the support of Italy under his "friend" Silvio Berlusconi to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union.
PORTO ROTONDO, Italy (AFP)--Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he was counting on the support of Italy under his "friend" Silvio Berlusconi to improve Moscow's relations with the European Union.

Putin was speaking at a press conference following talks in Sardinia with Berlusconi only days after the Italian leader was re-elected prime minister for a third stint in office.

"Italy's voice carries great weight in the European Union," Putin said. "We are counting on its support.

"We are currently talking with all the members of the E.U., even those with which relations can be difficult," Putin said.

Moscow-Brussels ties have worsened over the past couple of years as a result of Kosovo's declaration of independence from Russian-backed Serbia, U.S. plans for a missile shield in eastern Europe and Russia's policies on gas supply.

Berlusconi and Putin both spoke out in favor of strengthening relations between Moscow and Rome.

"I am delighted to congratulate Silvio Berlusconi on his election victory," Putin said. "Silvio is on old friend, I missed him" when he was out of office.

"I hope that the ties of friendship between the two countries will continue after his new government is formed," he said, as they had "many plans in common."

Putin was a guest at billionaire Berlusconi's luxury villa in Sardinia Thursday night, on his way home from a two-day trip to Libya.

The media magnate said beforehand that he and Putin would discuss "relations between the European Union and the Russian Federation, as well as divergences and disputes (between Russia) and the West."

Berlusconi had said Europe's relations with Moscow should be "much closer, warmer and cordial," adding he thought he could "play a role" because of his friendship with Putin.

During Putin's stay Berlusconi laid on dancing girls and other artists to entertain the Russian leader.

"He liked them," Berlusconi said Friday.

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