Including Italy, France (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Brussels , 19 Jun - The European Commission said it believes that opening an excessive deficit procedure is justified for seven countries of the European Union.

The countries are: eurozone members Belgium, France, Italy, Malta and Slovakia as well as Hungary and Poland.

The European Commission said it intends to recommend this July that the European Council launches excessive deficit procedures for these seven countries.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-06-24 12:42:55 (0345) 5 NNNN