Italy` s position is that Bulgaria`s NATO membership is very important for the consolidation of the so-called `southern enlargement` of NATO. The Italian ambassador to NATO expressed his country`s position at a meeting with the Bulgarian Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg and Foreign Minister Solomon Passy. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Elena Potodorova announced the information. The Bulgarian Deputy Ministers of the External Affairs, of the Defense, of the Finance and of the Law will participate in a working discussion of the Bulgarian annual program for NATO membership.