Readout of the President’s Call with Prime Minister Monti of Italy

The President spoke by phone today with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti.  The President thanked the Prime Minister for Italy’s many significant contributions to NATO and discussed the continued transition to Afghan-led responsibility for Afghan security, and the sustainment of the Afghan National Security Forces, which will be on the agenda of the upcoming NATO Summit in Chicago.  The President and Prime Minister Monti also discussed the current economic situation in Europe and agreed on the need to intensify efforts to promote growth and job creation.  The President looks forward to discussing these topics in further detail with the Prime Minister during the upcoming meeting of G-8 leaders at Camp David this weekend.