Juncker-Fico meet to 'cool the temperature'

(ANSA) - Brussels, October 9 - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Italian Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico met for talks on Tuesday following the recent tension between Rome and Brussels over the Italian government's budget plans.
    "It was a good meeting, a moment to cool the temperature," Commission Spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said. EU sources said the meeting, and the fact Fico was also able to encounter Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans and Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici during a single trip, was a sign that the EU is hungry for dialogue with Italy.
    Schinas stressed, however, that the Commission still wants to see the EU's rules respected.
    "It is up to the Italian policymakers to find rules and measures that allow Italy to stay within the agreed budget targets. These targets were approved by the 28 democratically elected heads of State and government of the Union," the spokesperson said.