German journalist asks if Italy is seeking 'handouts'

Italian Finance Minister Vittorio Grilli deflected comments on Wednesday by a German journalist who asked if he had gone to Frankfurt to "ask for money". "We have not asked for money and I'm not here for a special reason. We keep in touch because dialogue must be constant," Grilli said. Grilli was in Frankfurt for meetings with Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann. The Italian minister said that though his country is facing challenges, it can "succeed alone". "Italy is strong enough to solve its own problems. Despite the difficulties faced, it is fundamentally sound," Weidmann commented. Bundesbank's chief Weidmann also responded to the journalist, saying "We need to exchange and compare notes frequently...this was the only reason for our meeting". "Italy has put in place ambitious reforms and has achieved important advances that have positive effects and will benefit the entire eurozone," Weidmann said.