The Italian economy is looking more robust, with Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni predicting the country's emergence from its longest recession since World War Two by the end of the year.
As the economy is expected to grow by 1.3% during 2014 thanks to renewed confidence in the government headed by Enrico Letta, Sannino said Italy should begin imposing itself again in the EU.
"Italy is more stable, more credible. What's happening at the moment regarding commitments is appreciated by everyone, including the Germans, because it facilitates a balance among EU leaders," Sannino said in an interview with EurActiv Italy.
The ambassador was speaking just before Italy's supreme court upheld a tax fraud conviction against former prime minister Silvo Berlusconi.
Sannino is confident about the direction of the Italian economy, saying that the country had been readmitted to the club of virtuous countries of the eurozone thanks to the government's determination and sacrifices.
"Now we have to work to decrease our dispute with the EU, results of previous violations," he said.
Sannino said that the European recovery would happen in two stages, that first there would be a seasonal recovery, a chance to further stabilise the bloc over the summer, and then a political recovery.
"The month of September will serve to the further development of the diplomatic and technical dossiers; we will have to use time in a smart way," the Italian ambassador said.
Perhaps the EU's most important topic, the banking union, will be discussed in the Autumn. Sannino believes that it may provide further political stability through the introduction of a single resolution mechanism in the credit institutions.
"The banking union will be in the foreground again already at the European Council in October, while the work of the finance ministers around Ecofin will proceed in parallel, probably until the end of the year," Sannino said.
The main negotiations will come after the German general elections on 22 September, analysts say.
The Autumn agenda also includes decisions on growth and jobs, especially youth unemployment, discussion over unlocking European Investment Bank loans for small and medium-sized businesses and the finalisation of the EU's budget for 2014-2020.
"I do not expect large variations on the figures, but we have to work on how to optimise the use of resources, pursuing qualitative goals rather than quantitative," Sannino said.
