French FM to meet Italian counterpart on mounting concerns over Italy's finances

He also reiterated that EU rules on public spending were aimed at protecting Italian and European consumers.

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said he would meet his Italian counterpart on Thursday, as concerns mount within the eurozone over Italy's finances following the rejection of Rome's budget by the European Commission.

"Tomorrow, I will meet the Italian finance minister," Le Maire told RTL Radio on Wednesday. He also reiterated that EU rules on public spending were aimed at protecting Italian and European consumers.

Earlier this week, the European Commission rejected Italy's draft 2019 budget, saying it brazenly broke EU rules on public spending and asked Rome to submit a new one within three weeks or face disciplinary action.