The president and prime minister of Italy will visit the United States in December and February respectively, the White House announced on Tuesday. In a press statement, the White House said U.S. President George W. Bush would meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on December 11, 2007, and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi on February 4, 2008. “Italy is one of America's closest allies, and is making major contributions to peace and security around the world,” the statement said. The White House noted Italian assistance “in building secure and prosperous societies in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and the Balkans.” “The President will discuss with both leaders a range of issues on the transatlantic agenda, including advancing democratic gains in Iraq and Afghanistan; peace and security in the Middle East region, including preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability and supporting democracy and sovereignty in Lebanon; a peaceful resolution of the status of Kosovo; and goals for the April 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest,” the statement added.
