Delays in payments by the Public Administration, Gozi: Italy can avoid the infringement procedure

The Italian Undersecretary has illustrated the government actions on the matter in Brussels, and assured that the Commission found them “convincing.” That is why “the procedure with the Commission won’t get worse in this phase” and the letter of notice could be avoided

The Italian government has taken “convincing” measures to adjust the delays for the Public Administration payments to the enterprises, and the letter of notice, which should open the formal infringement procedure against Italy, will not be sent. Sandro Gozi, Italian Undersecretary for European Affairs, is quite optimistic in Brussels, where he met several representatives of the Commission. The meeting with Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry, focused on the delays of payments by the PA, after the tit-for-tat opposing the Commissioner and the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi (who accused Tajani of using the issue for electoral purposes).

Yet, “there was no conflict at all,” said Gozi. “We explained Tajani the new amendment we are preparing” for the Directive on payment delays. Amendment “that explains the binding nature of the terms of payment by the PA” and that is “the answer to the remarks made by the European Commission,” whose first reaction was “positive.”

The EU Commission has also welcomed the announcement of the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing, created for avoiding the accumulation of debts by the PA. On May 5^th, explained Gozi, there will be a meeting in which representative of the Italian government will illustrate in Brussels the new mechanisms, which “in the future will avoid all the problems Italy had.” Projects that the Commission looks “with attention and interest.”

Given the positive signs, “I think the issue with the Commission won’t get any worse in this phase,” said Gozi. Hence, no letter of notice for Italy? “You’d better ask the Commissioner,” said a smiling Gozi, “but I think the explanations we gave were welcomed and convincing.” The dialogue with the Commission is still open then, but “I am very positive” added the Undersecretary.

Letizia Pascale