Italian PM and EU's Juncker strike conciliatory tone during talks in Rome

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker struck a conciliatory tone during talks held here on Friday, following months of tension between Rome and authorities in Brussels.

Juncker's visit occurred as Renzi's cabinet just completed its second year, and their talks covered various topics, including economic issues and the European Union (EU) response to the ongoing refugee crisis, according to an official statement.

Both leaders openly played down the recent tension while speaking to reporters after the meeting.

"Our points of view have been different sometimes, as it can happen among friends," Renzi told the press conference.

"I am thinking of the issue of the (Italian) banks, or the controversy on the provision of state aid, for example".

"Yet, on my and Italy's part, there is the will to help Europe be itself: that means, a guiding light of civilization, and not just a set of austere and asphyxiating rules," Renzi said.

He added he was counting on Junker's Commission in order to work with Italy in this direction.

Juncker stressed he "strongly valued" the talks held with Renzi, and his own visit to Rome.

"When it comes to talk about the essence of things, between Italy and the EU Commission, there is a broad convergence of perspective," the EU Commission President said.

"The points of agreement between us are more numerous than the points of partial dissent, which has occurred, at times clumsily, from both sides".

Juncker praised Italy for exhibiting an "exemplary behaviour" in the migrant crisis, which might provide a model for other more hesitant EU countries.

He said several national governments in the EU were running away from "common sense solutions" before the migrants and refugees' inflows, which made the crisis worse.

"I would like common sense to return to its rightful place in Europe... and I am not giving up: I would like the decisions on (refugees) relocation to be finally implemented," Juncker said.

Since December, the relations between Rome and Brussels had appeared quite under strain.

Renzi's cabinet lambasted the EU, and especially the Commission, for being too focused on austerity policies instead of growth, and too bureaucratic.

The Italian PM also accused the EU's executive arm of having "double standards" and favouring Germany, yet failing to provide a common adequate response on the refugee crisis and other topics.

Juncker warned Italy to water down its criticism of EU policies, and, admitted in January the mood between Italy and the rest of the EU, and the Commission in particular, was "not the best ever".

After the more conciliatory meeting on Friday, Renzi stated Italy was committed to bringing down its public debt, which is the second highest in the euro-zone after Greece, and to respecting the Commission's decision in terms of budget.

"The Commission is our reference point in terms of fiscal room of manoeuvre from a technical point of view, and we will use whatever flexibility it will give us," he said. Endit