UK PM's Brexit deal is 'good news', says French finance minister

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday that British Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal was "good news", adding that it was in everyone's interest that the Brexit process proceeded smoothly.

"It is good news," Le Maire told France 2 television, adding that May's draft Brexit deal was a good development for both the French and the broader euro zone economy.

Le Maire added he would nevertheless be "prudent" over the next steps in the Brexit process, so that any final deal would respect various rules on issues such as tax regulation.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister May won the backing of her senior ministers for a draft European Union divorce deal, freeing her to tackle the much more perilous struggle of getting parliament to approve the agreement.

The Italian government must behave responsibly regarding its budget and economic situation, said French finance minister Bruno Le Maire on Thursday.

"I hope that the Italian government will show signs of responsibility," Le Maire told France 2 television. He reiterated the euro zone is not currently in shape to handle another major crisis.

On Wednesday, Italy re-submitted its draft 2019 budget to the European Commission with the same growth and deficit assumptions as a draft rejected for breaking European Union rules, stepping up its showdown with the EU over its fiscal policy.