(ANSA) - Italy and France on Tuesday agreed to create a common air space between their two countries as a further means to combat terrorism. The agreement was reached by French President Jacques Chirac and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi during a summit here.
According to the terms of the agreement, military jets from one country can now enter the air space of the other if they are in pursuit of an aircraft suspected of being involved in terrorist action Speaking at a joint press conference after their talks, the two leaders said that Italy and France were "Latin sisters" who at times could have different views but in the end always agreed.
This was the case in regards to Iraq, Chirac explained, "when at the beginning France and Italy had different analyses of the situation. But that is all water under the bridge. We are now in full agreement about a withdrawal from that country and supporting freedom there." Italy joined the the United States for the post-war reconstruction of Iraq while France did not over differences with Washington.
Also attending the Italo-French summit was Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini who later told the press that the results of the talks were "positive" and there was "a substantial convergence on positions" regarding most European and international issues.
The need to jump start European integration was one of the areas in which there was the most agreement, he added. "The biggest problem is that the 'pause for thought' following the French referendum risks becoming something more that just a pause," Fini observed.
France rejected the European Constitution in a referendum earlier this year which in effect put a freeze on the integration process.
