Renzi reiterates EU budget veto, but 'not out of selfishness'

(ANSA) - Cagliari, November 17 - Premier Matteo Renzi reiterated on Thursday that Italy was ready to veto the European Union budget unless there is more emphasis on promoting growth and tackling the asylum-seeker crisis. "We are ready for any type in intervention, right up to a veto," Renzi said at a meeting to sign a 'Pact for Cagliari' in Sardinia. "We don't want to be selfish. We are ready to do our bit.
    But we ask Europe for more attention to growth and migrants". Following a long night of negotiations, an agreement was reached early Thursday between the European Parliament, Council and Commission on the 2017 budget that will focus on the migration crisis and creating jobs. The deal set total commitments for 2017 at 157.88 billion euros and payments at 134.49 billion euros, equal to a 1.7% increase and a 1.6% decrease, respectively, compared with 2016. Italy abstained from voting on the agreement for the first time ever.