OceanDrive
27-09-2004, 20:40
Italy and Germany at odds over UN council seat
By Kate Connolly in Berlin and Bruce Johnston in Rome
(Filed: 27/09/2004)
Germany and Italy locked horns yesterday after the government of Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, opposed Berlin's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Italy's foreign minister, Franco Frattini, accused Germany, supposedly one of the country's closest allies, of trying to divide Europe with its request for a seat by putting its national interests first.
"I will not accept competition based around national interests. That risks dividing Europe," he told the Italian newspapers Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica.
Mr Frattini's comments appeared to be a response to a statement on Saturday by his German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, who said he found Italy's opposition to Germany's bid illogical...
By Kate Connolly in Berlin and Bruce Johnston in Rome
(Filed: 27/09/2004)
Germany and Italy locked horns yesterday after the government of Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, opposed Berlin's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Italy's foreign minister, Franco Frattini, accused Germany, supposedly one of the country's closest allies, of trying to divide Europe with its request for a seat by putting its national interests first.
"I will not accept competition based around national interests. That risks dividing Europe," he told the Italian newspapers Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica.
Mr Frattini's comments appeared to be a response to a statement on Saturday by his German counterpart, Joschka Fischer, who said he found Italy's opposition to Germany's bid illogical...