Energy, economic issues, top Berlusconi's talks with Putin (Roundup)

Apr 26, 2010, 14:44 GMT

Lesmo, Italy - Russia is willing help Italy with its planned nuclear energy programme, Russian Prime Minster Vladimir Putin said Monday in talks with Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi.

The two leaders spoke at a joint news conference following their meeting in the northern Italian town of Lesmo, near Milan.

In 2008, Berlusconi's conservative government announced it would re-introduce nuclear plants in Italy, 21 years after they were closed down following a referendum.

But the plan has met strong opposition from communities and local political leaders, who do not want nuclear power plants located in their areas.

Putin pledged 'vast Russian cooperation' if Italy's nuclear projects were to be realized.

This would include finance, technology as well as assistance with nuclear waste disposal, the Russian premier said.

Berlusconi said work on Italy's first nuclear power plant would begin by 2013.

He also referred to existing energy cooperation between the two countries, including the South Stream gas pipeline which is being led by energy giants, ENI of Italy, and Russia's Gazprom.

The project, which aims to transport Russian natural gas to the Black Sea, to Bulgaria and further to Italy and Austria, would be completed by mid 2015, Putin said.

'It will be a guarantee important countries like Bulgaria, Romania and also Italy, are never agan left in the cold and in darkness,' Berlusconi said.

Monday's talks also focused on other bilateral economic ties, with Berlusconi stressing that the recent global economic slump has led to a 30 per cent decrease in trade between Italy and Russia.

'We hope that the (economic) recovery, which is present with encouraging signs will lead to a return to the trade levels of 2008,' the Italian premier said.

Berlusconi and Putin also presided over the signing of an agreement which pledges Russian support for the reconstruction of two monuments in the central Italian city L'Aquila, which last year was devastated by an earthquake.

Putin, who arrived in Italy late Sunday, stayed overnight at Berlusconi's private residence in Arcore near Milan before travelling together with the Italian premier for Monday's formal talks in Lesmo.