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On 17 December, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative report calling for the removal of remaining barriers to the cross-border movement of military personnel and equipment across the EU, underlining the strategic importance of military mobility in light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs stressed that faster and more seamless military movements are essential for European security and defence, particularly for the protection of the EU’s eastern flank.

The report highlights that, despite recent progress, administrative, financial and infrastructure-related obstacles continue to hamper military mobility, with the movement of equipment across the EU still taking several weeks in some cases. MEPs therefore called for increased investment in transport infrastructure, notably along the four EU military mobility corridors, as well as further upgrades to railways, roads, bridges and tunnels to support dual-use civilian and military needs.

The resolution welcomes the Commission’s proposal to increase funding for military mobility in the next EU long-term budget to more than €17 billion and urges Member States not to reduce this allocation. It also calls for simplified procedures to access EU funding for dual-use infrastructure projects, noting that the upgrading of critical infrastructure hotspots will require significant investment. In addition, MEPs advocate working towards a so-called “military Schengen area”, supported by greater digitalisation, faster cross-border authorisations through a one-stop-shop approach, and stronger coordination at EU level.

In response to the adoption of the report European Parliament co-rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) said: “To maintain Europe's strength and ability to deter aggressors, it is crucial we demonstrate our readiness to act. This includes having the capacity to deploy troops and equipment rapidly throughout the EU. Overcoming administrative burdens and developing capacity and dual-use infrastructure is not a luxury, but a necessity. 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.”

European Parliament co-rapporteur Roberts Zīle (ECR, LV) stressed: “Currently, there are far too many hindrances to military mobility that could be quickly addressed without requiring much funding. Military mobility has become even more urgent in light of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. There is no time to waste – we must keep up the momentum and reach for the low-hanging fruit.”

MEPs on the Transport and Defence Committees now will start their legislative work on the military mobility package presented by the European Commission in November

Source: European Parliament