Minister for Foreign Affairs Franco Frattini has a friendly telephone conversation today with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, during which he recounted the results of his 9 December visit to Israel and the Territories and the meetings he had with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities. They also discussed peace prospects and the overall regional Middle East picture.

The Secretary of State also inquired as to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s state of health after yesterday’s assault in Milan, extending her solidarity and wishes for a speedy recovery.