Padoan confident EC will like his budget

(ANSA) - Rome, November 21 - Economy Minister Pier Carlo Padoan on Friday said Italy has "a good relationship" with the European Commission and it will "appreciate" measures in Rome's 2015 budget. During an interview with Sky News, Padoan said the government will continue cutting spending, lowering labour taxes, and implementing "very ambitious" structural reforms.
    The Commission is expected to give its verdict on Italy's 2015 budget law next week.
    Meanwhile, Padoan said he was pleased with the European Central Bank (ECB)'s commitment to do whatever is needed to support inflation by encouraging growth in the eurozone. During an interview with Sky News, Padoan said "the real problem" is sluggish growth in the region.
    Draghi's commitment was "welcome" but more needs to be done "even by governments," said Padoan.
    Earlier in the day, Draghi said the ECB was ready to expand its purchasing programme to combat sluggish eurozone growth if necessary.
    "Contingent on outcomes, we are committed to recalibrate the size, pace and composition of our purchases as necessary to deliver our mandate," he said.
    "This is why the (ECB) Governing Council has tasked ECB staff and the relevant eurosystem committees with ensuring the timely preparation of further measures to be implemented, if needed".