Italy: Responding to criticism

Italy's government suffered in the recent European elections

In a HARDtalk on 22 June, Tim Sebastian speaks to Italy's Foreign Minister, Franco Frattini.

The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has recently reached a milestone as the country's longest serving leader since the Second World War.

He is a controversial figure whose business connections have been questioned, and whose behaviour in Parliament has been strongly criticised.

In the war in Iraq he has stood by Britain and America and has said Italian troops will remain in the country for as long as they're needed.

But Italian public support has been tested by the murders and kidnappings of Italian nationals in Iraq.

As the whole of Europe debates the future of the EU, Tim Sebastian talks to Franco Frattini, Italy's Foreign Minister.

HARDtalk can be seen on BBC World at 03:30 GMT, 08:30 GMT, 11:30 GMT, 15:30 GMT, 18:30 GMT and 23:30 GMT

It can also be seen on BBC News 24 at 04:30 and 23:30