JERUSALEM — Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has arrived in Israel for an official three-day visit.

He was greeted warmly by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu outside the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.

Berlusconi is regarded as being one of Israel’s best friends and advocates in the international community.

In a dinner in Berlusconi’s honour the Italian prime minister promised that he would back Israel in the international community.

He said that he was dreaming of the time that Israel was part of the European Union.

Berlusconi has arrived with eight of his senior minister for further bilateral talks over three days.

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