BARVIKHA (Moscow Region), May 16 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met on Saturday outside Moscow to discuss the upcoming G8 summit due to be held in July in Italy.

"I believe it is a very important matter that we plan to discuss today. There are very important opportunities to find answers to the current economic crisis and introduce a new global management method allowing us to supervise the financial and economic world and avoid any chance of a new crisis," the Italian premier said.

Dmitry Medvedev said in turn that in addition to the upcoming G8 summit, the leaders planned to discuss international issues and economic cooperation.

"Our relationship is developing extremely well, there is progress in practically all areas," the Russian leader said.

Medvedev expressed his hope that Italy's central Abruzzo region, recently struck by a powerful earthquake that killed almost 300 people, injured another 1,500 and left over 50,000 homeless, would be quickly rebuilt.

"We are ready to offer any help," he said.