The European Commission is set to open infringement procedures for excessive deficits against Italy, France and 10 other countries, Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.

Giorgetti also said Italy was in line with a European Union requirement to cut its deficit below 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) over time.

(Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte, writing by Alvise Armellini, editing by Giulia Segreti)