Berlusconi meets Gates to discuss Afghanistan, Haiti
February 7th, 2010 - 4:49 am ICT by IANSRome, Feb 7 (DPA) Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met Saturday with US defence secretary Robert Gates for talks which Rome said focused chiefly on Afghanistan and Haiti.
An Italian government statement said Gates had thanked Rome for its pledge to boost troop levels in Afghanistan and for the prompt assistance in the relief efforts after the earthquake in Haiti.
In December, Rome pledged a further 1,000 forces to its contingent in Afghanistan for a limited period during the course of this year. Italy currently has some 2,800 soldiers in Afghanistan.
Gates was in Rome after attending the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul, where he issued an urgent call for more military and police trainers to be sent to Afghanistan. He said 4,000 such experts were needed.
The US defence chief will remain in Rome until Monday, meeting in the meantime with Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa and Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. He then will travel on to Paris.
- Italy not to bomb Libya, says Berlusconi - Apr 16, 2011
- Italy to send military instructors to help Libyan rebels - Apr 21, 2011
- Italy to give Libyan rebels 500 mn euros - Sep 02, 2011
- Rapper says Berlusconi stole lyrics - Feb 23, 2012
- Berlusconi to meet Libya's rebel leader - Aug 24, 2011
- Italy wants an end to capital punishment - Oct 11, 2011
- Didn't arm protesters, Berlusconi tells Gaddafi - Feb 24, 2011
- Italy assigns eight combat aircraft for Libya air strikes - Apr 28, 2011
- Italian soldier killed in Afghan blast - Jul 12, 2011
- Clooney, Ronaldo may testify for Berlusconi in 'bunga bunga' sex trial - Mar 30, 2011
- Italy calls on Gaddafi to surrender - Aug 22, 2011
- Italy denies paying 'bribes' to Taliban in Afghanistan - Oct 15, 2009
- Italy recognises Libyan rebels' interim council - Apr 04, 2011
- Italy to send ships, planes to ease refugee crisis in Libya - Mar 04, 2011
- Berlusconi makes first public appearance after facial surgery - Mar 10, 2011
Tags: contingent, defence minister, defence secretary, dpa, earthquake, foreign minister, foreign ministers, franco, government statement, italian government, italian prime minister, la russa, ministers meeting, prime minister silvio, prime minister silvio berlusconi, relief efforts, robert gates, secretary robert, silvio berlusconi, troop levels
