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MNI BRIEF: Italy Says May Not Make Dec Deadline For EU Funds

(MNI) ROME

Italy may not meet all of the Dec 31 targets and milestones key for unlocking the next EUR19 billion in EU funds from the NextGenerationEU programme, European Affairs Minister Raffaele Fitto said on Friday, adding that it was more important to consider the country’s overall progress towards objectives than over-focus on timings.

His comments came after MNI reported on Thursday that Italy had informally asked European officials for flexibility on the December targets. (See MNI: Italy Seeks Extensions To NextGenEU Deadlines)

During an event with European Commission officials visiting Rome to monitor progress on Italy’s Nation Recovery Plan, Fitto called for “simplification of strategic objectives.” Italy is struggling to spend European money so far allotted for National Recovery Plan projects, he said.

Despite Fitto’s remarks, Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti insisted earlier on Friday that Italy will try to make this month’s targets, highlighting differences within the right-wing coalition.

MNI Rome Bureau | +34-672-478-840 | santi.pinol.ext@marketnews.com
MNI Rome Bureau | +34-672-478-840 | santi.pinol.ext@marketnews.com

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