MEPs push for “military Schengen” to withstand potential Russian aggression 

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Transport and Defence MEPs call urgently for easier movement of troops and military equipment across the EU by removing internal borders and upgrading infrastructure.

The draft resolution on military mobility, adopted by the Transport and Defence committees on Monday, stresses the urgent need to facilitate the rapid cross-border movement of troops, equipment and assets across Europe to be ready to withstand potential Russian aggression. This is an essential enabler for common European security and defence, but also crucial for the security of the eastern flank, in particular the Baltic countries and Poland, MEPs add.

Transport and Defence MEPs acknowledge that although significant progress has been made to enhance military mobility, there are still considerable administrative and financial barriers, as well as infrastructure obstacles, which mean that it can sometimes take over a month to move military equipment across the EU.

Towards a “military Schengen area”

The MEPs call on EU countries and the European Commission to step up investment in transport infrastructure, especially along the four EU military mobility corridors, to apply more digital solutions, and to accelerate cross-border movement authorisations.

The Transport and Defence committees want to see a “military Schengen area”, reinforced by a military mobility task force and a European coordinator to streamline the implementation of different initiatives. They are asking the Commission to provide a roadmap to achieve this and also suggest setting up an EU digital one-stop shop for the issuance of cross-border movement authorisations for military equipment.

Proper funding

The MEPs welcome the Commission’s proposal to increase the military mobility budget in the next long-term budget to over €17 billion. They ask the EU countries not to make cuts to this proposal, as happened for 2021-2027 budget when the proposed funds were reduced by 75%. To roll out the upgrade of 500 infrastructure “hotspots”, such as bridges or tunnels, and make the four corridors fully operational, would require at least €100 billion, they add, also urging the Commission to simplify the procedures for obtaining funding for dual-use projects.

EU-NATO cooperation

Military mobility is a priority for EU-NATO cooperation and is essential to enable the movement of allied forces in times of peace, crisis or war, the adopted text says. It calls for regular joint exercises and stress tests to identify and remove obstacles. MEPs also want the EU to follow NATO’s example and ensure rapid reaction troops could cross internal EU borders within three days in “peacetime” and within 24 hours in a crisis situation.

Quotes

Transport and Tourism Committee rapporteur Roberts Zīle (ECR, LV) said: “I am thrilled to have a successful vote today. Currently, there are far too many hindrances to military mobility that could be quickly addressed without requiring much funding. We do not have time to waste – we have to keep up the momentum and reach for the low-hanging fruit. The Commission’s proposal must be approached with the same urgency.”

Security and Defence Committee rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) added: “In order to maintain Europe’s strength and ability to deter any aggressor, it is crucial that we demonstrate our readiness to act. This includes having the capacity to deploy troops and equipment rapidly throughout the Union. Overcoming administrative burdens and developing capacity and dual-use infrastructure is not a luxury, but a necessity. The European Parliament is highlighting the work that remains to be done to achieve a true ‘military Schengen area’, and this must be accomplished in the shortest possible time.”

Next steps

The draft non-legislative resolution on military mobility was adopted by 56 votes to 11, and with two abstentions. It must now be put to a plenary vote, possibly during the December session.

Background

On 19 November, the European Commission presented a military mobility package that seeks to facilitate the movement of troops, equipment and military assets across Europe.