Italian And British Premiers Stress Russia's Growing Role In Combating International Terrorism

The situation in the Middle East, combating international terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan were in the center of the talks between Italian and British premiers Sylvio Berlusconi and Tony Blair on Friday night on Genoa. The sides stressed the need to continue the Israeli-Palestinian talks and noted that Europe, the USA and Russia should make joint efforts to solve this problem. Apart from the political settlement of the Mideast crisis, the sides discussed the so-called Marshal plan of the economic restoration of the Palestinian autonomy, set forth by Italy. Another important issue discussed by the sides was the struggle against international terrorism, in which both political leaders pointed to Russia's growing role. They also noted the need to continue the military action in Afghanistan and arrest bin Laden.