German President Wulff praises reforms by Italy's Monti

Feb 13, 2012, 17:30 GMT

Rome - German President Christian Wulff, speaking in Rome Monday, praised austerity and growth-boosting measures introduced by Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti's government, saying they would encourage other struggling European economies.

'The Italian government is going ahead with great courage and we are convinced that it should proceed without stopping halfway,' Wulff said, following a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

'What is good for Italy is good for Europe,' Wulff said, adding that the measures introduced by Monti's technocratic government would 'give courage' to other eurozone states such as Spain and Portugal.

'We are doing our part in Europe,' said Napolitano at a joint press conference with his German counterpart.

Later, Wulff held a 'working lunch' with Monti. In November Monti replaced former premier Silvio Berlusconi in the wake of a massive rise in Italy's borrowing costs amid fears that Italy would default on its debt.

The German president's three-day visit to Italy includes meetings on Tuesday with local officials in Milan, where he is also scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Luigi Bocconi University business school.

On Wednesday, Wulff is scheduled to visit the southern city of Bari before heading back to Berlin.

Read more about Germany