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Rome not prepared to allocate 5% of GDP to military spending — foreign minister

Antonio Tajani also pointed out that, in order to increase military spending, it is necessary to change mindsets and European regulations so that this type of spending is excluded when complying with the EU Stability and Growth Pact and to use common European funds
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani
© AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia

ROME, February 4. /TASS/. Italy is not prepared to allocate 5% of its GDP to military spending, as demanded by US President Donald Trump, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani stated in an interview with the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

"We are inclined to reach 2% of GDP on military expenditures, but not 5%. Our country sends the greatest number of servicemen to international mission contingents, which should be considered," the minister said.

He also pointed out that, in order to increase military spending, it is necessary to change mindsets and European regulations so that this type of spending is excluded when complying with the EU Stability and Growth Pact and to use common European funds.

Italy's military spending does not exceed 1.57% of GDP, and Rome's long-standing NATO target of 2% of GDP was not intended to be reached until 2028. Trump has already reiterated his intention to push NATO member states to raise military spending to 5% of GDP.

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