WASHINGTON: Italy plans to use its presidency of the Group of 8 developed nations to expand the group of 5 emerging economies meeting with them by adding Egypt.

The goal, says Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, is to push globalization as a way to help the world economic crisis.

In a talk to an Italian-American group Thursday, Frattini described the new approach as an innovative format for the G8.

This year s meeting will be at L Aquila, the historic Italian town smashed by an earthquake on April 6. We will dedicate much more time to the joint work of the G8 and the G5, Frattini said. -AP