综合一区欧美国产,99国产麻豆免费精品,九九精品黄色录像,亚洲激情青青草,久久亚洲熟妇熟,中文字幕av在线播放,国产一区二区卡,九九久久国产精品,久久精品视频免费

WORLD> Europe
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-02 14:28

Despite approval ratings that are high by most standards, and solid victories in recent European and local elections, aides find themselves tackling talk of a "lame-duck" leader, when only a year ago he was returning to power with a resounding defeat of the centre-left.

"We know the prime minister has the support of the Italians and is therefore no 'lame-duck' leader and completely ready to lead the G8," Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told Reuters.

LEADERSHIP TEST

But it is questionable what level of leadership Italy or Berlusconi have on the main issues on the agenda in L'Aquila - the financial crisis, climate change and development.

Sandwiched between G20 summits in London and Pittsburgh, L'Aquila was never likely to produce more than worthy statements on the financial crisis. On climate change, Obama has dictated the agenda rather than Berlusconi. On development, Italy has arguably the worst reputation in the G8 for meeting commitments.

Related readings:
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility Italy's Berlusconi denies he paid women
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility Premier Berlusconi in new scandal
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility Berlusconi 'unaware party girls were paid'
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility Italy's Berlusconi hit by female escort allegations
Berlusconi hosts G8 as scandals weaken credibility Berlusconi says nude pics 'innocent'

The Catholic charity Caritas International accuses Italy of slashing aid to poor countries by 56 percent this year, saying: "This is not a good sign for the G8 summit in Italy."

Berlusconi himself says he plays a prominent role in world diplomacy, having helped to resolve the Georgian war, negotiate a new NATO-Russia deal and, on climate change, stop what he called a "quixotic" EU initiative last year.

But his reputation is defined more by his diplomatic gaffes, his relationship with Obama not helped by comments on the president's "suntan" or being quoted calling him "weak" on Iran.

Berlusconi has his admirers, including Russia's Vladimir Putin, Turkey's Tayyip Erdogan and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, who says Berlusconi stands up for "the truth and for decency".

One aid body hoping achievements outweigh the gaffes at the G8 is ActionAid Italy, whose policy director Luca de Fraia told Reuters: "It's obvious the rumours about Berlusconi's behaviour are possibly damaging what Italy is doing. There is a credibility issue."

"But Italy is still a big country and we need great initiatives from Berlusconi.

   Previous page 1 2 Next Page  

中阳县| 卢龙县| 彭水| 丹寨县| 吉木萨尔县| 台前县| 静乐县| 南丹县| 依安县| 浏阳市| 申扎县| 衡阳市| 介休市| 樟树市| 和田县| 利辛县| 章丘市| 曲阜市| 揭阳市| 南川市| 蓬莱市| 黎川县| 肇东市| 沽源县| 南丹县| 图们市| 新疆| 观塘区| 长沙市| 松桃| 安陆市| 皋兰县| 扎兰屯市| 盐边县| 昭苏县| 龙胜| 林周县| 墨竹工卡县| 富川| 永靖县| 资溪县|