国际英语新闻：Berlusconi, Mubarak meet on Middle East peace process

ROME, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met here on Thursday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the Middle East peace talks progress and bilateral relations.

Berlusconi, talking at a press conference at government building Palace Chigi, praised Mubarak for his role as central mediator in the delicate negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian territories.

"The Egyptian president has played a crucial part in relaunching the peace talks, I want to congratulate him for his efforts," said Berlusconi, referring to the second round of direct Israel-Palestinian peace talks held in Sharm El-Sheik by Mubarak on Sept. 14 to boost regional dialogue.

On his part, the Italian premier pledged commitment in obtaining a greater involvement from Israel to push forward the negotiations towards a common solution.

Berlusconi also promised to further involve in the peace talks the European Union (EU) and the Quartet so as to put pressure on Israel for more concessions.

Both leaders expressed their hope that Israel would prolong the freeze on the settlements construction, which is set to expire by the end of September.

"In order to guarantee a real, long-standing success of the peace talks it is essential that the banning of the freeze is extended," said Mubarak, stressing that "the peace process was going through a most delicate and crucial phase."

The goal of Mubarak's visit to Italy was to brief Berlusconi on the developments of the peace talks.

It was part of the Egyptian president's European tour aimed at securing support in further boosting the negotiations.

On Wednesday Mubarak met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after discussing the Middle East issue as well with French leader Nicholas Sarkozy.

At the meeting, Berlusconi praised the excellent state of bilateral ties expressing his utmost satisfaction that relations were continuing to progress.

The two leaders also inaugurated on Thursday Rome's first Egyptian Museum, newly restyled and featuring some 50 precious archaeological finds.

It was Mubarak's second visit to Italy since the beginning of the year, demonstrating the good state of Italian-Egyptian ties.

In March Mubarak took part in the Italy-Egypt summit in Rome, where several strategic cooperation agreements were signed.