15/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 15 April, Johannes Laitenberger informed the press that José Manuel Barroso had called Silvio Berlusconi to congratulate him “on behalf of the European Commission and himself, on the victory of his coalition in the Italian general elections”. The Commission president's spokesperson indicated that Mr Barroso had stressed that “the change in government in Italy coincided with an important moment in European integration, and he is counting on Mr Berlusconi's contribution to a fully successful European project. In this respect Mr Barroso “expressed his conviction that Commission relations with the future Italian government would be fruitful and constructive, as is traditionally the case with Italy”. The president of the Commission also called the current prime minister, Romano Prodi, to thank him for his commitment to the European project. (O.L.)