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Barroso tells Berlusconi to mind Italy's interests first

13 December 2012, 22:00 CET
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(BRUSSELS) - European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday said he told his "old friend" Silvio Berlusoni, who may run again for election, that he must be mindful above all else of Italy's stability.

"I spoke to Mr Berlusconi yesterday early afternoon (to stress) the importance of having stability in Italy, of keeping Italy on this path of stability and reforms," Barroso said at a brief, joint news conference with Italy's premier Mario Monti.

"These were the views I expressed very frankly to Silvio Berlusconi" in what was "a personal conservation", Barroso added.

In Brussels for a meeting of European conservative parties ahead of an EU summit, Berlusconi joined most of Europe in praising Monti's economic reforms.

Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Kaitainen, who attended the European People's Party meeting, said: "The main issue is that the responsible policy line which we have seen in the last months led by Monti will continue whatever happens in the general elections.

"I don't want to interfere but I do hope that the responsible policy line will continue."

Berlusconi has caused some confusion in recent days, first saying he would run again for Italian prime minister in upcoming elections, but then rowing back on Wednesday, saying he would abandon the idea if Monti decided to run.

Monti refused all comment at the press conference.

"I don't believe this is the right moment or the right place to start discussing issues that have to do with internal politics," he said. "I am still involved actively in what the government needs to do."

"But it is the right time to repeat my internal conviction that whatever the outcome of the election, the new Italian government will still provide strong support from the part of Italy for European integration."

"I think this is something all Italian parties believe in because European integration is good for Italy."


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