23/11/2004 (Agence Europe) - Gianni Pittella, Democratici di sinistra member, regrets in a press release that Gianfranco Fini's debut as Italian Foreign Minster at Monday's Council had not been "bolder". The new minister was like "Pontius Pilate", the MEP deplored, noting that Mr Fini admitted he feared controlling EU spending would be reflected in the financing of structural funds (from which Italy considerably benefits) but "he did not have the strength to enter the fray to increase the financial perspectives". (We recall that Italy is among the six countries which, in a joint letter, called for a ceiling of 1% of GDP to be placed on the EU budget for the period 2007-2013).