Rome - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his British counterpart, Gordon Brown, reiterated Thursday their commitment to free trade and said the current economic crisis must not "pull back" the process of globalization.

"Protectionist measures reduce growth throughout the world, they deprive us of the benefits of global trade and confine to poverty millions of people," the two said in a joint statement.

The statement was posted on the Italian government's website ahead of talks between Berlusconi and Brown in Rome on Thursday.

Several world leaders have raised concerns over trade barriers following the inclusion of a "buy American" clause in US President Barack Obama's plan to get the US economy back on track.

Moves by the French government to aid France's carmakers have also been cited as a posing a possible threat to free trade practices.

In their statement, Berlusconi and Brown also mentioned the role world bodies must play in re-establishing global financial stability and stimulating economic recovery.

Italy currently holds the presidency of the Group of Eight (G8) most-industrialized nations while Britain will host on April 2 in London the summit of the Group of 20 (G20), which also includes emerging economies.

The London gathering and the G8 summit scheduled in Italy in July "must be used to protect the poorest during this phase of global recession," Berlusconi and Brown said.

Economic recovery strategies should also be in tune with environmental issues including a "low carbon future" and sustainable development, they added.

Such strategies would require greater involvement by the emerging economies of Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa, with whom the G8 needs to establish a "structured and stable partnership."

Italy also intends to involve in this process Egypt as "a Muslim, African and Arab country," the statement said. (dpa)