BRUSSELS, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Tuesday said it would not change its 2.4 percent deficit goal, despites calls from Eurozone finance ministers on Monday for Rome to reconsider its deficit-boosting plan.
The Italian government on Thursday last week proposed the 2019 budget with increased deficit of 2.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), which, though still below the EU limit of 3 percent, is three times the previous administration's deficit goal.
Concerned that Italy's deficit-boosting budget plan could tip the 19-country eurozone into crisis, fellow nations of the bloc are pressuring Rome to change course.
"We are all aware of what is at stake. We are all bound by the euro and we need sound policies to protect it. It is up to the Italian government to show it has a sustainable and credible budgetary plan," said Mario Centeno, the head of the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers, on Monday following the Eurogroup meeting.
The situation in Italy was not on the agenda of the meeting but recent announcements by the Italian government have raised concerns over its budgetary course.
"Concerns that need to be addressed soon," said Centeno.
Italy has yet to present its full draft budgetary plan by Oct. 15 when Eurogroup will have in-depth discussions.
