Shared intention to reach deal-Moscovici

(ANSA) - Brussels, December 13 - European Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Thursday that Rome and Brussels have the "shared intention to reach an agreement" over Italy's budget for 2019. Moscovici was speaking after fresh talks following a meeting on Wednesday between Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte and Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
    At that meeting Conte proposed setting Italy's deficit target to 2.04% of GDP next year, rather than the 2.4% pencilled in in the government's draft budget plan, in a bid to stop the EU opening an infringement procedure. Moscovici said the dialogue was "constructive". "We don't want to end up with a procedure," he added.
    "When I said (earlier on Thursday) that we are not there yet, I meant that we have not yet concluded the talks". He said that Italy's effort to cut its deficit target for next year was "considerable" and "commendable".