WASHINGTON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Monday after meeting U.S. President George W. Bush that Group of Eight leaders would evaluate the need for a summit to discuss the world financial crisis.
'We'll see because the important thing is that contacts are continuous. We'll see if it's needed. Everyone will be willing,' he said. The White House said in a statment that no decision had been taken or date set, but it was 'very open' to the idea.
Italy has promised during its presidency of the G8 next year to work for the expansion of the group of industrialised nations to include other emerging giants like India and Brazil. It will also propose reforms of the International Monetary Fund.
'In the future format we see a G8 of Western countries but on the second day we would open it to the G14,' said Berlusconi, without specifying which countries would be in the larger forum.
(Reporting by Gavin Jones via Rome bureau) Keywords: FINANCIAL G8/BERLUSCONI tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com ak COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
'We'll see because the important thing is that contacts are continuous. We'll see if it's needed. Everyone will be willing,' he said. The White House said in a statment that no decision had been taken or date set, but it was 'very open' to the idea.
Italy has promised during its presidency of the G8 next year to work for the expansion of the group of industrialised nations to include other emerging giants like India and Brazil. It will also propose reforms of the International Monetary Fund.
'In the future format we see a G8 of Western countries but on the second day we would open it to the G14,' said Berlusconi, without specifying which countries would be in the larger forum.
(Reporting by Gavin Jones via Rome bureau) Keywords: FINANCIAL G8/BERLUSCONI tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomson.com ak COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Financial News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Thomson Financial News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Financial News.
© 2008 AFX News
