Gerhard Schroeder Chancellor demands apology
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Morning Ireland: Sean Whelan, Europe Correspondent, reports from Strasbourg on the anger at Berlusconi's 'joke'
The Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has told the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in a telephone call he regretted any misunderstanding over a Nazi jibe he made at the expense of a German lawmaker.
But in a statement, Mr Berlusconi added that he had been seriously offended by criticism levelled at him during a debate in the European Parliament yesterday that led to the outburst.
Mr Schroeder, who had demanded an apology, said after the phone call that he considered the row over.
Mr Berlusconi's remark, made to Martin Schulz, sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen said it was important that the two countries put the affair behind them.
