Today's Date:

THE PRESIDENT – I don't need to tell you that I was very happy to welcome here, to this 23rd Franco-Italian Summit, the President of the Italian Council of Ministers, my friend Silvio Berlusconi and the distinguished members of his government. (...)

This summit is taking place in the wake of important decisions which have been taken at European level – I'd even say in a historically new situation, if we take account of both the enlargement and the decision on the Constitution. Reaching it was, understandably, a difficult job and the Italian Presidency did the initial work. I wanted to pay tribute to the Italian Presidency, who, on an issue that was tough – despite the good basis provided by the Convention –, handed on to the Irish Presidency a dossier in excellent shape. And I also pay tribute to the Irish Presidency who did an admirable job in reaching a conclusion.

I also welcomed the decision we took together to elect the President of the Commission, Mr Barroso, and the future EU Foreign Minister, Mr Solana.

Finally, I'd like to say that I was delighted by the decision, taken unanimously, to sign this constitutional treaty in Rome, i.e. making it, in a way, a second founding treaty after that of 1957. (...)

As for the European issues we discussed, as you know, there's great unity between the Italian and French positions in virtually every area. This had been expressed with regard to the constitutional reform, and we have decided to continue hand in hand on Europe's path.

In particular, when it comes to deciding on Europe's next budget, 2007-2014, we have identical approaches insofar as we are in an identical situation. We are both significant contributors and are also the two main contributors to the British rebate. So here too, unity of action.

On defense, our two countries enjoy exemplary cooperation, they are cooperating on the ground, in the Balkans and Afghanistan, where there's perfect cooperation between our armed forces. We are also cooperating at the technical level, inter alia with the development, which is progressing smoothly, of the multi-purpose frigates which are going to give our armed forces a modern tool, an economical one which will probably generate significant exports in the future. (...)

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THE PRESIDENT – (...) France is also taking very seriously everything to do with terrorism which could threaten national or European territory. We are at a very high level of alert. (...) Our cooperation is extremely developed and has greatly increased over the past two years, not just between Italy and France, but also between the main European countries and their partners, especially America and Russia. And we are doing the maximum in this sphere.

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THE PRESIDENT – Let's now let the Iraqi judicial system get on with its job. (...)./.