Berlusconi pleased with Blair's successor

Silvio Berlusconi - not yet friends with Brown

Wednesday, 10, Sep 2008 12:00

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was in amiable mood at Downing Street this afternoon, saying he is building a good relationship with Gordon Brown.

The media magnate returned to office after elections triggered by the collapse of Italy's centre-left coalition earlier this year, having previously been prime minister while Tony Blair was in Downing Street.

While referring to his strong relationship with Mr Blair he made clear he was on good terms with the current prime minister on his latest visit to Britain.

"It was very pleasing for me to be here today to meet your prime minister Gordon Brown," he said.

"You know the kind of friendship I had with his predecessor. I must say that in our meetings good entente is coming along nicely and I think we can talk about friendship quite soon."

Mr Berlusconi defended Mr Brown's apparent expression of approval for a US presidential candidate as "absurd" after the prime minister was accused of endorsing Barack Obama.

And Mr Brown paid his own tribute to the Italian premier, saying: "I personally am very impressed by the personal philanthropic work which is done by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi in children's hospices and hospitals."