Differences persist on India's bid for UNSC seat: Prodi

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi today said differences persisted with India on the issue of New Delhi's bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Italy was unable to support India's move as his country was against the expansion of the UNSC's permanent category as part of the proposed UN reforms, he said in his press interaction jointly with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

His remarks came even as the two countries signed an MoU for setting up a Joint Working Group on combating international terrorism and trans-national crimes.

The understanding was initialled by Mr. Antonio Armellini, Ambassador of Italy to India and Mr Rajiv Dogra, Ambassador of India to Italy.

The two countries signed another MOU on Indo-Italian Renewable Energy Cooperation between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea of the Republic of Italy.

Under an agreement, India and Italy facilitated a Cultural Exchange Programme during 2007-09.

UNI