MNI (LONDON) - The European Central Bank should continue its easing cycle with gradual, but decisive cuts for some euro area countries’ economies -- Italy among them -- that “need to breath,” Italian finance minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said in a speech on Tuesday.

Giorgetti is onfident that Italy will easily meet its 1% growth forecast for 2024, anticipating that Rome is working on the budget and the adjustment plan based on the new European fiscal rules.

The next budget will be made under “reasonableness and responsibility criteria”, he said, adding that while it would not allow eaasy spending, it wouldn'wouldn't be a “tears and blood” budget.