Budget set out but ready for talks-Conte

(ANSA) - Rome, October 22 - Premier Giuseppe Conte said Monday that the budget plan for 2019 was set out according to the government's intentions but added that Rome was willing to have talks with the EU about the package.
    He was speaking after Economy Minister Giovanni Tria responded to the European Commission's letter of reproach over the package, which sees Italy's deficit running at 2.4% of GDP next year. "We wanted to explain our budget in the letter to the EU," Conte told reporters at the foreign press association in Rome.
    "In this letter we explained why we set it out in this way, we explained the direction of our economic policy, the objectives we intend to achieve.
    "But we are willing to get around a table to continue dialogue with the European Commission.
    "If it is rejected (by the Commission), we will sit at a table and assess things together".