Obama praises Berlusconi as `great friend`

Milan: US President Barack Obama says in an
interview with an Italian newspaper that he has developed a
"very strong relationship" with Italian Premier Silvio
Berlusconi.
In an interview published yesterday in Corriere della
Sera, Obama called Berlusconi "a great friend of the United
States, and of mine." Obama said that the two leaders always
joke when they get together but also get serious work done.

He also called Italian President Giorgio Napolitano a
"very gracious person" whose view of Europe coincides with
Obama`s.
Obama also praised Italy for it contribution to the
mission in Afghanistan, where it has some 3,000 troops, and
emphasised the important role Turkey plays in Europe.

PTI