Russia supports Italy's efforts as Group of Eight (G8) president to shape a new global financial architecture to cope with the ongoing crisis, Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said Monday.
Kudrin said Russia liked Italian Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti's insistence on a new 'legal standard' for financial dealings in the wake of the worst crisis since the Great Depression.
The finance minister also voiced particular appreciation for Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi's proposal to involve Russia fully in G8 economic and financial questions.
Kudrin was speaking at a joint press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, after a session of the Italo-Russian Council.
G7 finance ministers met on Friday and Saturday here with Russia also on hand.
The G7 comprises Italy, Japan, the United States, Germany, France, Britain and Canada.
With Russia, they form the G8.
Italy took over the G8 presidency from Japan in January and will hold a summit in July.
Britain holds the presidency of the wider G20 group which includes India and China, and is hosting a separate summit in April.
