ROME, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi sent a message of congratulation on Wednesday to U.S. Democrat Barack Obama for winning the presidential elections.

    "I am absolutely convinced that the friendship and collaboration between our two countries will continue to expand and grow stronger," the premier said in his message.

    He said Italy remained "a faithful, sincere and grateful ally of the United States which has never forgotten the sacrifice of so many young American lives to give back freedom and dignity to Italy and Europe."

    Italy, the premier continued, "sends you its congratulations for this success after a difficult election campaign against a top-level rival."

    Berlusconi, one of outgoing President George W. Bush's strongest allies in Europe and a close personal friend, later told the press that when he meets with Obama "I can certainly give him some advice given my age and experience."

    "For us Italians who feel intimately linked on the historical and political, cultural and human level with the American people, this is a great day," Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said in a message to Obama.

    "We draw from your victory, and from the spirit of unity which accompanies it, new reasons for hope and confidence for the cause of liberty, peace and a safer and fairer world order," he said.