Statement by President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni

“We welcome with satisfaction today’s decision by the European Commission to prolong certain measures provided for by the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework until the end of June 2024. The European Commission has thus granted the request, made first and foremost by Italy, to allow for a gradual and sustainable phase-out of the support measures adopted by the Government over the last months. Among other things, this decision will allow the Italian Government to continue supporting businesses and workers, especially women, young people and the social groups most in need, above all in areas in the south of Italy that are yet to regain their competitiveness, at the same time as making it possible to work with the European Commission on the future definition of more targeted and more structural measures to stimulate growth and the ability to attract investments in our southern regions. Alongside the creation of a single SEZ and more efficient and strategic management of cohesion funds, this is a further step to boost competitiveness and economic development opportunities for our Mezzogiorno and the whole of Italy”.

[Courtesy translation]