European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said Monday that the recent change of tone from Rome in the dispute with the EU over its budget plans will not suffice to reach an agreement. The Commission has rejected Rome's budget plan for 2019, which sees Italy running a deficit of 2.4% of GDP next year, saying it breaks EU rules. Premier Giuseppe Conte's executive has said an expansive budget is needed to finance key pledges and boost sluggish growth.
"We have seen a change of tone in recent weeks," Dombrovskis said on the fringes of an event for the 20th anniversary of the euro.
"The Italian government is willing to talk and commit itself to changing the trajectory (of the budget).
"It is not a question of just changing the tone of the discussion though, it is also about having a substantial correction".
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