Italy is a key economic partner for Britain and a close ally in the European Union and the G8, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Wednesday.
''We work together to face problems like the credit crisis, increases in fuel and food prices, global issues that require a global response ....we also agree on the need to push for economic reforms in Europe. We plan to work with Premier Berlusconi to help small and medium size enterprises which are essential for the European economy,'' Brown said after talks with the Italian premier at Downing street.
In a joint news conference, the two leaders said their countries would also work together in the sector of nuclear energy, considered by both to be of strategic importance in dealing with the energy crisis and global warming.
''Italy and Britain will cooperate on nuclear power to find technical solution to deal with global changes in climate. Italian and British experts are in the forefront in this sector,'' Brown said.
Berlusconi added that the two countries would also cooperate closely in the field of alternative energy.
