As a European Union founding member, Italy should set its sights on a key European Commission portfolio like trade, competition or industry, foreign minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi said on Tuesday.
"We are a high-profile, founder member and must aim for a top (European Commissioner) job," Moavero told a diplomacy forum in Rome.
"Such roles include trade, competition, industry or economic and financial affairs," he said.
Italy's current member of the European Commission is Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief.
A new EU executive is due to take office this year following parliamentary elections last month and the appointment of a new European Commission president to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.
