Italy's premier Paolo Gentiloni "has had contact" with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and with centre-left SDP party leader Martin Schulz after their breakthrough on talks to form a new coalition government, sources from Gentiloni's office said on Friday.
Gentiloni earlier welcomed the news that Merkel, who heads Germany's largest party, the CDU, and Schulz struck a deal on a blueprint for formal negotiations during gruelling overnight talks.
Gentiloni hailed the deal as "good news for Europe".
German parties have been unable to form a new government since inconclusive September elections.
