Statement by Deputy Press Secretary Smith on the President's Meeting With President Francesco Cossiga of Italy

Italian President Cossiga today called on President Bush to bid farewell in anticipation of the end of Cossiga's 7-year Presidential term in July. He and President Bush discussed a range of bilateral and international issues. President Cossiga also shared his perspectives on the just-completed Italian elections. Among the other topics discussed were GATT, the Atlantic alliance, and Yugoslavia. Both Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to the closest possible cooperation between Italy and the United States and to ensuring the vitality of the transatlantic partnership.