Berlusconi seeks to reassure EU

Berlusconi's decision to take on the mantle of foreign minister has alarmed some EU countries

ROME, Italy -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has sought to reassure his international allies over the Italian government's commitment to the European Union.

Berlusconi held separate meetings with Valery Giscard d'Estaing, the former French president, and Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique on Friday, just days after taking over as foreign minister following the resignation of Renato Ruggiero.

Earlier, d'Estaing, head of a new convention on the bloc's future, told The Associated Press: "(Berlusconi's) position on Europe calls for a clarification. That's why I am in Rome ... to meet him.

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"It is essential for the convention to be able to fully count on a positive contribution from Italy, which has been present at all the stages of European construction."

He contrasted the lack of clarity he perceived in Berlusconi's views on Europe with what he called Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi's "strong moral position."

Ciampi has backed European integration in recent speeches.

Ruggiero, a known Europhile and a respected diplomat, stepped down lamenting the government's lukewarm reception of the euro -- giving rise to doubts in Europe over Italy's policy towards the EU.

French Finance Minister Laurent Fabius said on Monday that Berlusconi needed to confirm Italy's commitment to the EU.

"Italy is one of the pillars of Europe and one could be quite worried," Fabius said in a radio interview.

"So I think there is a need for a clarification at the level of the heads of government."

Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel said: "I do not know exactly what Prime Minister Berlusconi's commitment toward Europe is, but I do know that some members of his coalition stand up against Europe on a regular basis and blame Europe for lots of things that are not justified.

"I think he will continue to face difficulties with that kind of a coalition."

Berlusconi has insisted in interviews published this week that his support for European unity is solid.

"If there is anyone who has always believed in Europe, it's me," he said at a brief news conference at the Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The meeting with Pique, which had originally been scheduled for Tuesday, will be Berlusconi's first as foreign minister. Spain holds the rotating EU presidency.

Upon taking on his second job Wednesday, Berlusconi said he intends to reform the Foreign Ministry so that Italian businesses abroad would be better safeguarded.

He also said he will keep the job "as long as it takes."