Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk on Friday called for a speedy ratification of the European Union treaty and improved relations between the bloc and Russia, according to dpa. "We are committed to a rapid ratification of the European Treaty," Prodi said at a joint news conference with Tusk in Rome. EU leaders are expected to sign the treaty at a summit in Lisbon on December 13, but it will then have to be ratified by individual states. Italy and Poland also favour "an energetic European (foreign) policy and a long term perspective in relations with Moscow," Prodi said. Tusk, referring to a planned gas pipeline to link Russia and Germany directly - bypassing Poland - said it was "not a good example of solidarity on energy issues" within the EU. The Polish premier said "frank discussions" were needed between Poland, Germany and Russia on the pipeline issue. "I am deeply convinced that an improvement in relations between Warsaw and Moscow and between Brussels and Moscow is in the interest of all the people of Europe," the Italian premier said. Prodi also announced Italy and Poland had agreed to hold annual meetings aimed at boosting bilateral ties.
