EU Commissioner Moscovici approves of Italy's reforms

(AGI) Rome, Dec. 12 - The EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs,Pierre Moscovici, praised Italy's efforts on the reforms frontand for combating unemployment on Friday, and emphasised thatneither governments nor agendas are dictated by the Commission.Speaking at a press conference in Rome, he said the Commissionwelcomes the reforms put in place, as they are needed "to builda more competitive economy with more jobs and growth". TheEuropean Commission will wait till the third week of Januaryfor more information from the Italian government before makinga final decision on Italy's public accounting, he said, addingthat his statements were meant more as support for Italy'sefforts rather than a positive message. "With regard toBelgium, France, and Italy, we consider it more prudent to waittill early March before reaching a decision based on the newestimates in early February", he explained. "We want to givethese countries the chance to provide more information in termsof their reforms, in order to assess their growth potential".The Commission will immediately begin work on "constructivedialogue with member states on public finances", he said. . .