Rome (Italy), Oct.15 (ANI): Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has backed old chum and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to be the next President of the European Union.

In an open letter to Il Foglio, the newspaper part-owned by his estranged wife Veronica, which is mounting a campaign in support of Blair, Berlusconi said: “Tony Blair has everything it takes to become the first President of the European Council.”

The daily’s front-paged article further goes on to say: “My government and I will work to ensure we do not lose a great political legacy, made with courage, equilibrium and prudence without uncertainty.”

The friendship between the two men goes back to the start of the Iraq war, which Berlusconi staunchly supported.

In the summer of 2004, the Blair family enjoyed a holiday at Berlusconi’s estate in Sardinia.

This is not the first time that Berlusconi has enthused about Blair’s candidacy. He has previously said that Blair has the “ideal personality” for the job. (ANI)