Rome (Italy), Oct. 22 : Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi apparently snubbed Jordan King Abdullah in favour of a birthday party with Russian Prime Minister and old friend Vladimir Putin.

Opposition politicians in Rome demanded to know why Berlusconi had cancelled a meeting with King Abdullah, choosing instead to fly to St Petersburg to discuss energy projects between Russia and the EU — and, it was alleged, to attend a private party in honour of Putin’s 57th birthday on October 7.

Italy''s La Repubblica newspaper had reported that Berlusconi carried fine wines” as a gift for Putin.

The Russian Prime Minister’s spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said that it was “a private visit but with working content”. (ANI)