ROME, September 5 (RIA Novosti) - U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney arrived in Italy on Friday to attend an international economic conference and later meet the country's leadership, national media reported.
Cheney arrived in Italy after visits to Georgia and Ukraine - former Soviet republics now at odds with Russia - and oil-rich Azerbaijan. He will speak Saturday at the Ambrosetti economic conference in the northern Italian city of Cernobbio.
Cheney, a staunch supporter of Georgia in its recent conflict with Russia, has insisted that NATO must have the Caucasus state as its member. He moves on to Rome on Sunday to meet with President Giorgio Napolitano on Monday.
On Tuesday, he holds talks with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has developed strong personal ties with his Russian counterpart, former President Vladimir Putin, and the current incumbent, Dmitry Medvedev.
