Italy’s Wind is hopeful it will get a green light from the European Union for its merger with 3 Italia, its CEO said.

“We can’t be sure but we’re highly optimistic and I believe that in the next few weeks we’ll be able to count on… the European Commission’s approval,” Maximo Ibarra said, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.

The news comes just a few weeks after Jean Yves Charlier, CEO of Wind’s parent VimpelCom, said that no statement of objections had been received from the European Commission.

A decision expected by 8 September.

VimpelCom and CK Hutchison, owner of 3 Italia, have already submitted a proposal to EU regulators that will help France’s Iliad enter the Italian market, addressing competition concerns.

When asked about freeing up assets to create a fourth network operator, Ibarra said: “It’s all in progress and the first important goal is to receive the Commission’s approval.”

Last month, Iliad said it had inked contracts with Hutchison and VimpelCom to acquire assets enabling the creation of a new entrant in the Italian telecoms market.