Reforms helped Italy win market confidence: Barroso

MILAN: Italy's tough programme of economic and fiscal reforms has helped Rome win back investor confidence just months after it was at the centre of the euro zone sovereign debt crisis, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said.

Prime Minister Mario Monti is pushing through wide-ranging reforms, including a reform of rigid labour laws, after taking over from Silvio Berlusconi in November at the height of the euro crisis.

"Italy has embarked on a remarkable programme. This very ambitious strategy has clearly helped it to restore market confidence," Barroso said on Saturday at a press conference in Milan after meeting with Monti.