Madrid – The Spanish press Friday lashed out at Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi over his "crazy and embarrassing" comments at a joint press conference with his Spanish counterpart.

"Berlusconi has become an undesirable political acquaintance," said the left-leaning newspaper El Pais.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero "had to put up with crazy and embarrassing explanations on the recruiting of young women," it said in an editorial.

During a news conference following talks with Zapatero in Sardinia on Thursday, Berlusconi described himself as Italy's best prime minister for 150 years.

He also stated that he had never paid for sex with women, and joked about comments he made last year in which he described Spain's largely female cabinet as "too pink".

"How is the prime minister of Italy, the country of great lovers, of Casanova and playboys, going to criticise the fact that there are female ministers?" he said.

He also attacked El Pais which published pictures of topless women sunbathing at Berlusconi's villa in Sardinia in June.

"To keep company with Berlusconi, whose country belongs to the G8, has become an additional political difficulty in the complex international relations," El Pais said.

It described "Il Cavaliere" as "a character unbecoming of a serious country and a presentable government".

Spain's right-wing press also joined in the attacks on the conservative leader.

"Casanova does not pay," said the ABC newspaper.

"The Italian prime minister could not resist the temptation to make a very sexist and outdated speech," said El Mundo.

It quoted some of the "pearls" of Berlusconi, such as "God's most beautiful gift to man is women".

The Spanish papers noted the embarrassment felt by both Zapatero and his ministers during the news conference.

AFP / Expatica