Bridge over the Strait among possible EU defense works

Brussels (ANSA) – The EU is beginning to accelerate the process on military mobility, that is, the plan to modernize the infrastructure of member states in order to transport troops and equipment where and when needed. At the extraordinary meeting of the Ten-T committee – attended by member states and commissioners Apostolos Tzitzikostas (Transport) and Andrius Kubilius (Defense) – the analysis of “500 priority projects to be urgently addressed” was brought to the table, as well as the issue of funding.

For Italy, the spotlight is on the Messina Bridge, which could be included in the list of dual-use projects. “It is up to the Italian authorities to assess whether the main purpose of the bridge is military or civilian,” says a spokesperson for the European Commission, specifying that, to classify public spending, the EU executive uses the so-called Cofog (Classification of the Functions of Government) adopted in the OECD and UN.

“This is particularly relevant for the activation of the national safeguard clause, which allows for an increase in defense spending without the risk of the Commission initiating a procedure for excessive deficits,” the spokesperson points out. For Italy, three main options open up.

Pay for the Messina Bridge with exclusively national resources, add it to the list of projects for which the safeguard clause is activated with the necessary explanations (which Rome currently does not intend to use), or request European co-financing (there are various options in this regard). In any case, it will fall under NATO spending for the part dedicated to security (1.5%) and will contribute to reaching the target of 5% (July 1).