MEPs back “military Schengen” to help withstand potential Russian aggression

Reducing obstacles to military mobility essential for European security and defence

Movement of rapid reaction troops within 24 hours in crisis situations

Proper EU funding needed

MEPs are calling for the removal of internal borders for the movement of troops and military equipment across the EU, and for upgrades to railways, roads, tunnels and bridges.

Russia’s war against Ukraine has drawn renewed attention to military mobility and the urgent need to facilitate the rapid cross-border movement of troops, equipment and assets across Europe, say MEPs. They stress that military mobility 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.

Increase funding

Parliament’s resolution welcomes the Commission’s proposal to raise the military mobility budget in the next long-term budget to over €17 billion. MEPs call on EU countries to refrain from making cuts to this proposal, as they did in the 2021-2027 budget when they cut proposed funds by 75%. Upgrading 500 infrastructure “hotspots”, such as bridges or tunnels, would require at least €100 billion, they add, urging the Commission to simplify the procedures for obtaining funding for dual-use projects.

Military Schengen area

Parliament acknowledges 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 means that it can sometimes take over a month to move military equipment across the EU.

MEPs call on EU countries and the European Commission to invest more in transport infrastructure, especially along the four EU military mobility corridors. They also want to see more digital solutions applied, and cross-border movement authorisations accelerated by means of a one-stop-shop.

They recommend working towards a “military Schengen area”, reinforced by a military mobility task force and a European coordinator to streamline implementation of the different initiatives, with the Commission providing a roadmap.

EU-NATO cooperation

Parliament stresses that military mobility is a priority for EU-NATO cooperation and essential to enable the movement of allied forces in times of peace, crisis or war. The resolution 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

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.”

Next steps

The resolution on military mobility was adopted by 493 votes to 127, and with 38 abstentions on Wednesday. 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.