Chancellor Kohl talks EMU in Italy

The German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, is in Rome for talks with his Italian counterpart, Romano Prodi, that are expected to focus on Europe's monetary union plans and the control of illegal immigration.

Correspondents say Rome wants Mr Kohl to indicate he'll support Italian inclusion in the single currency on its launch in 1999.

On Monday a meeting of EU Finance Ministers praised Italy's programme for meeting the qualifying criteria by cutting its budget deficit and raising taxes.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service