By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Italy's foreign minister urged Russia on Friday to "rethink" its decision to halt military cooperation with NATO.
Franco Frattini said in an interview with state TV RAI that military cooperation with Russia was essential to guarantee security and stability in hotspots across the world, such as Afghanistan and Iran.
Italy is seen as having a softer stance on Russia compared with some other European countries. Premier Silvio Berlusconi is a close ally of Vladimir Putin, the former Russian president who is now prime minister.