Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi stressed on Tuesday the importance of China in helping ensure the United Nations to play a central role in Iraq.

In a message to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao, Ciampi also reiterated the similarities between Italy and China, pointing out that both countries favor multilateral action.

"I am certain that in the future we will continue working together to ensure that the United Nations can increasingly play the fundamental role assigned it by the UN Charter, " he wrote.

The president, who had to cancel his planned trip to China next month after fracturing his collarbone, cited Iraq as a situation where multilateralism was vital.

"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China can offer an essential contribution to drawing up a Resolution outlining a decisive role for the United Nations during the handover of power," said Ciampi.

He further underlined that such a resolution would be key to ensuring that "a genuinely independent Iraqi government comes to power" at the end of June, when the US-led Provisional Coalition Authority ends its mandate.

In conclusion, the president highlighted Italy's desire for a greater involvement in Chinese society, particularly in terms of economy, culture and science.

(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2004)