(Update: With further statements by Lufthansa CEO Spohr)

ROME/FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - In the struggle for Lufthansa's entry into the Italian state-owned airline Ita, the parties involved have offered further concessions to the EU Commission. This was announced by the Italian Ministry of Finance in Rome on Tuesday. Brussels had been offered "additions" in line with the Commission's demands within the deadline, it said. The ministry did not provide any details. Lufthansa also did not provide any details.

In a first step, Lufthansa wants to take over 41 percent of the state-owned airline Ita Airways, formerly Alitalia. In return, Ita is to receive 325 million euros in equity from Lufthansa cash. Later, the German airline will be able to acquire a further 49 percent and then the remaining 10 percent under certain conditions.

However, the EU Commission, as the responsible approval authority, has not yet approved the project due to competition law concerns. It fears that customers could suffer from rising prices or poorer quality after the takeover. It is expected that a decision could be made next month. Lufthansa had previously made concessions in the antitrust proceedings without giving details.

Spohr: "Decisive phase"

Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr said on Tuesday at the Group's virtual Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt that he still expected a positive decision from Brussels in the summer. Lufthansa had submitted an extended package to the EU Commission on Monday evening. "We are now entering a very decisive phase. We have been in a very constructive dialog with the EU Commission over the past weeks and months," said Spohr in response to a corresponding question from a shareholder representative.

The Lufthansa CEO once again promoted the planned deal: "Passengers to and from Italy will benefit because they will have more choice," argued Spohr. The employees of the Italian airline had also suffered greatly after the transformation of Alitalia into Ita and "deserved a future". Lufthansa would broaden its market access and become more international with a hub outside Germany. Spohr's conclusion: "So I don't see who should have anything against this transaction."/cs/ben/DP/stk