U.S. President Bill Clinton and Italian Premier Massimo D'Alema agreed Wednesday that further measures were needed to increase stability in Kosovo and boost the effectiveness of the United Nations peacekeeping mission there. A statement from the Italian premier's office Wednesday evening said that Clinton and D'Alema had discussed the problem of Kosovo by phone.

"The telephone conversation enabled them to exchange views on the situation in Kosovo, in particular on the need for combined efforts to restore internal stability," the statement said. "In the light of recent tensions, the two leaders agreed on the urgent need for further measures to consolidate the UN mission, strengthening especially the police force and supplying the economic means necessary," it said.

It said that the U.S. was prepared to provide more funds for the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

It said that Clinton had thanked Italy for its decision to send more troops to the region and, on a more general level, for its" continued contribution to creating peace in the Balkans."

The statement highlighted D'Alema's call for the European Union to step up its part in reconstruction and stabilization in the region and co-ordinate its activities there better.

Italy announced Wednesday that it would be sending a further 360 troops to the ethnically divided town of Mitrovica.

The additional troops will make Italy the number one provider of troops to the mission, with a total of 6,360 men.