BRUSSELS (AFX) - The European Commission considers there is still time this year for the Italian government's measures to curb any overrun in the budget deficit to take effect, so that the country may meet its stability programme target, a spokesman said. "I do not think it is too late," said Gerassimos Thomas, spokesman for EU monetary affairs commissioner Pedro Solbes. He was speaking after Italian Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti confirmed by letter to Solbes yesterday and by phone call this morning that the government intends to take corrective measures to ensure the deficit target of 0.8 pct of GDP set by the stability programme for this year is met. The Commission's spring forecast put Italy's deficit for 2001 at 1.3 pct. Tremonti Wednesday said the deficit could be between 1.9 pct, estimated by the accountant-general and 2.6 pct estimated by the Bank of Italy, if there are no corrective measures. Thomas noted the 2.6 pct figure is not from the government itself. He said it is not clear what the impact of the reported corrective measures would be, as some would have a positive impact and some negative. Neither the Italian side nor the Commission has made an estimate of them yet, he said.