MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (>> Telecom Italia S.p.A.) said on Tuesday that contacts with Hutchison Whampoa (>> Hutchison Whampoa Limited) aimed at assessing the feasibility of an integration process were "only preliminary" and "non-binding."

In a statement issued at the request of market regulator Consob, Telecom Italia reiterated it would discuss the issue at a board meeting on Thursday and release a statement after that meeting.

A source familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday Hutchison Whampoa is in talks to buy up to 29.9 percent of Telecom Italia.

(Reporting By Danilo Masoni, editing by Silvia Aloisi)

Stocks treated in this article : Hutchison Whampoa Limited, Telecom Italia S.p.A.