IMF calls on Italy to respect EU rules

(see related story on IMF) (ANSA) - Rome, October 9 - The IMF has warned Italy against breaching the EU's budget rules. "Our concern about Italy is that there is a real imperative for the fiscal policy to maintain confidence, the confidence of markets," Maurice Obstfeld, the director of the IMF's research department, told a press conference presenting the Fund's latest World Economic Outlook.
    "And we have seen spreads increase over the past months. "This has certainly contributed to our downgrade of Italian growth and makes the economy more susceptible to shocks. "So, we think it is important that the government operate within the framework of the European rules, which are also important for the stability of the eurozone, itself".