MOSCOW, Aug. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- President Vladimir Putin made it clear Monday Russia would stand by Germany in its bid to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council if the world body is to be reformed.

    "Germany has the right to aspire to this place, and Russia willsupport it," Putin told a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi after their talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, according to Russian news agencies.

    Putin said that can only happen if a proposal on reforming the United Nations is approved by the majority of member countries. Hewarned a poorly considered decision on UN reform "could split the organization."

    Asked if Berlusconi was offended by Russia's support for Germany, Putin said, "We speak our mind. It is most important not to withhold truth, and to be consistent and honest."

    Berlusconi, however, was skeptical about UN member states reaching a consensus on the reform and said there is little point in talking about a reform that would displease many countries.

    Reform should not exclude Italy from such an important organization as the United Nations, Berlusconi said, according to the Interfax news agency.

    Kremlin officials have announced Putin will pay a working visitto Germany on Sept. 8, just days before early parliamentary elections in the country, with which Russia trades extensively.

    The Russian leader said his visit to Berlin is not linked to the upcoming elections and is arranged at the request of the business community of the two countries.

    "We understand the realities of internal policy and we're not going to interfere in this process in Germany," Putin said.

    Meanwhile, it is "senseless and stupid" to stop contacts with Germany because elections take place there, he said. Enditem