Italian PM optimistic about economy, criticizes EU Green Deal

ROME, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday she was optimistic about the state of the country's economy, which she expected would outperform its European peers.

Speaking to the assembly of Italian industry association Confindustria, she said a one-percent economic growth was "within reach" for Italy this year. To facilitate this, she promised to look for ways to "fix" the European Union (EU)'s environmental rulebook, known as the "European Green Deal," arguing that it was a drag on economic growth.