Italy praised over handling of financial crisis

Italy is 'coping well' with the eurozone crisis and its financial position has deteriorated less than others thanks to its prudent fiscal policy and despite high levels of public sector debt, according to Olli Rehn, EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner.

Italy’s main challenge was to raise its economic growth rates, which remain modest, through implementing structural reforms, Mr Rehn said in Rome on the 10 October 2010 after talks with members of parliament’s economic committees and Giulio Tremonti, Finance Minister.