Intesa keen to protect Generali's independence with other core shareholders

MILAN, Oct 27 (Reuters) - Intesa Sanpaolo is keen that Assicurazioni Generali remain independent and is ready to work alongside the other key investors in the country's biggest insurer to reach this goal, CEO Carlo Messina said.

Intesa has bid to buy Monte dei Paschi di Siena, a deal that would make it the biggest shareholder in Generali.

Speaking at an economic conference in Rome, Messina reiterated that Intesa had no plans to interfere with the running of Generali and only wanted to protect its independence.

Messina said Intesa was happy to do so in cooperation with other core shareholders: UniCredit and the Del Vecchio, Caltagirone and Benetton families.

(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gavin Jones)