Italian PM to hold talks on economic, migrants and Greek crisis with German counterpart

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi was about to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on economic growth, immigrants issue and the Greece debt crisis after her visit to the Expo in Milan on Monday.

It was a private visit and there was no press conference after that, according to local news.

The state news agency Ansa said Renzi may seek backing from Merkel for a greater flexibility on economic growth, and a larger burden of sharing regarding sea rescues as well as migrant relocation in neighboring EU countries.

Renzi may also discuss Wednesday's vote on the 3rd bailout to Greece in the Bundestag.

The visit started from the Pavilion Zero, following a tour at the German pavilion which was cordoned off after a crush of people assembled to see the chancellor.

Merkel expressed her curiosity about the future of the Expo site after its closure on 31th of October.

Renzi said: "We were in time for the Expo and we will be so in the future too". And Giuseppe Sala, the Expo chief added the Zero Pavilion was likely to be one of those that will stay up.

At the exit of the German pavilion, Merkel responded when asked if she liked the Expo by saying: "Of course."

The visit ended up with a dinner at Palazzo of Italy, Merkel and her husband dined with the Renzis. Endit