10/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - Speaking to the press on Monday about the impact of Italy's victory in the final of the football World Cup on the economy of the country, the spokesperson to Commissioner Almunia said: "the economic situation seems to be getting better, and we hope that this victory will boost economic growth and make the objective of bringing the deficit below 3% even more achievable". On Friday, the Commissioner in charge of Economic and Monetary Affairs welcomed the efforts of the Italian government to come into line with the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact. According to the economic and financial programming document (EFPD) approved by Rome last week, the Italian public deficit is set to fall to 2.8% of GNI in 2007, in line with the recommendations of the Ecofin Council.