Italy Rules Out Using NATO Funds to Build Messina Strait Bridge

The Italian government has ruled out using NATO funds for the construction of a €13.5 billion ($15.7 billion) bridge, ending months-long speculation about whether the project to link the mainland to Sicily would count as military expenditure.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies, including Italy, agreed in June to raise overall defense spending to 5% of GDP within 10 years in a bid to satisfy a demand by US President Donald Trump. And a number of government officials later publicly hinted that the bridge might become part of Italy’s commitment due to its potential dual-use nature.