Italië en Spanje weigeren een directoraat van de 'Grote Drie' (en)

Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has slammed the meeting of France, Germany and the UK, which begins today in Berlin, describing it as a 'mess'.

Speaking in Rome yesterday (17 February), Mr Berlusconi said, "Europe doesn't need any directorate; it's just a big mess".

"This is my opinion and it is shared by all the other European countries, with the exception of the three countries in question", he added, according to the FT.

Rocco Buttliglione, Italy's Europe Minister echoed his leader's views, saying, "Europe is not made up of three countries. It is made up of 25 and those other countries are not going to accept to be led by three countries".

Not for the first time, Italy's scepticism of the 'big three' meeting was shared by Spain, whose foreign minister Ana de Palacio yesterday said, "Nobody should be allowed to kidnap the general interest of Europe".

The sharp criticisms coming from Madrid and Rome echo a wider concern that the Franco-German-UK axis may be the beginning of a directorate from which other countries will be denied access.

Berlin, London and Paris furiously deny this.

The leaders of the three, Messers Schröder, Chirac and Blair, meet today accompanied by a host of ministers.

The main item on the agenda is economic reform in Europe, but they are also expected to discuss more contentious issues such as the Constitution, Turkish entry into the EU and the make-up and President of the next Commission.

Berlusconi of Brussels?

Meanwhile, Mr Berlusconi yesterday announced his intention to run in the European elections, which in Italy will be held on 12-13 June, coinciding with the administrative elections.

The parties in Mr Berlusconi's governing coalition will not run under a common list - unlike the opposition centre-left parties - but under a common slogan of "united and free".

Silvio Berlusconi said he intends to lead the government even if the coalition does badly in the European Parliament elections.