Washington, Oct 18

US President Barack Obama and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta have agreed to enhance their countries' bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen the economic partnership between the US and the European Union (EU), Xinhua reported Thursday.

The two leaders met at the White House Thursday, the first day the federal government reopened.

During the meet, Letta also congratulated Obama on Wednesday's success of raising debt ceiling and ending federal government shutdown, saying the decision was "very important for the stability in the markets in the world, in Europe and in Italy".

"Italy is moving in the right direction in stabilizung its finances and embarking on reforms," said Obama after his meet with Letta. 

The two sides discussed the importance of European growth, which has high youth unemployment rate and challenges within the eurozone. Both agreed to enhance their bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen the economic partnership between the US and the European Union.

On global security, Obama said, "Italy has been an outstanding partner." They both agree to work with other international partners to strengthen the security capacity of the Libyan government.

On Syria, Obama said the US want to partner with Italy on humanitarian efforts, to "find ways to not only relieve the suffering, but also to implement a political transition that can allow people to return to their homes and end the killing that's been taking place there".

By:IANS