Adds CEO quotes and context in paragraphs 3-10
MILAN, June 27 (Reuters) - Italian cablemaker Prysmian PRY.MI will target acquisitions of around 500 million euros ($535 million) and refrain from large M&A deals in the 2-1/2 years to focus on reducing its 5 billion euros of debt, its chief executive said on Thursday.
Prysmian's debt rose as it prepared for the 3.9-billion-euro acquisition of U.S. company Encore Wire WIRE.O it announced early this year in a move aimed at bolstering its position in the North American market, its profit powerhouse.
Speaking to reporters during a corporate event on sustainability, CEO Massimo Battaini said the size reached by Prysmian would help it cut debt quickly, and still allow it to look at "mid-size" M&A opportunities in the meantime.
He added he was referring to potential target companies with an enterprise value of around 500 million euros.
"North America remains at the top (of our interests) as profitability there is very high," Battaini said when asked what regions Prysmian was considering for further M&A deals.
"We'll assess Europe, we'll consider opportunities in the Middle East which is a market for us, while Asia-Pacific is a priority".
The acqusition of Encore Wire is set to be completed week, Prysmian has said, following approval by the U.S. company's shareholders on Wednesday.
Battaini said Prysmian - the world's biggest cablemaker - would upgrade its long-term financial targets following the Encore deal, adding for that purpose it would hold a capital market day in the first quarter of year.
The company on Thursday said it would also upgrade targets of its long-term sustainability plan following the Encore acquisition.
($1 = 0.9352 euros)
(Reporting by Giulio Piovaccari, editing Emelia Sithole-Matarise)