BRUSSELS, March 20 (Reuters) - Lufthansa wants

to close a deal with Italy's ITA Airways "as soon as possible,"

Lufthansa's Chief Executive told journalists on Wednesday,

adding that he was optimistic ahead of an expected statement of

objections from the European Commission on the deal.

The European Commission opened a full-scale investigation

into the deal in January on concerns that the acquisition could

reduce competition in passenger air transport services on

several short-haul and long-haul routes and is set to publish a

statement of objections to the deal this month.