ROME - Italy wants a different use for the money currently earmarked for the eurozone bailout fund, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday.

Meloni said she wanted to discuss the issue with the head of the fund, known as the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), instead of focusing on the ratification of a treaty that reforms the ESM.

She added that because of the tough conditions attached to ESM loans, she didn't believe that any country would apply for one in the future.

Italy is the only eurozone country that is dragging its feet over the ratification, which needs to be completed by all members of the currency bloc.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gavin Jones)