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Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti
said Friday that the positions of the major Western powers were
moving closer over the question of using frozen Russian assets
to help Ukraine, while stressing that many difficulties remain,
as he spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the Finance G7
meeting in Stresa on the shore of Lake Maggiore.
"There is a gradual move towards what is the politically desired
and desirable goal, but which has technical difficulties,"
Giorgetti said, citing legal issues.
"We are working to reach a solution.
"We hope to lay the foundations for a solution, perhaps at the
mid-June (G7) summit in Puglia".
European Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni also said
he was looking for the three-day Finance G7 to pave the way for
a breakthrough at the G7 summit.
"There are still many details that need to be clarified and
examined," Gentiloni said regarding the use of profits from
Russian assets for Ukraine.
"But the direction being taken is interesting and, in the medium
term, I think it could lead to an agreement at the G7 in Puglia.
"Stresa will provide the substance of this process.
"I think the political conclusion still needs some work on and I
think the ideal venue is less than a month away in Puglia".
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