A press conference was held during the European Parliament’s session in Strasbourg, where the proposal’s co-rapporteurs, Polish MEP Michał Szczerba and Latvian MEP Roberts Zīle, discussed progress in negotiations with the Council of the European Union on military mobility.
Military mobility is an important element in strengthening Europe’s security. Amid growing geopolitical threats, EU member states need to be able to move soldiers, weapons and supplies quickly between countries.
'Military Schengen'
Such operations can currently face administrative obstacles, differences in national regulations and infrastructure limitations.
"A Military Schengen is an analogy with the Schengen Area," Michał Szczerba, a Polish member of the European People's Party (EPP) group in the European Parliament, said.
"Troops, military equipment and supplies ordered by governments will be able to move within the European Union more quickly and freely, without problems," he added.
The new rules are being prepared jointly with NATO to meet the alliance’s needs in the event of a crisis or war, he told reporters.
The proposed rules aim to facilitate military transport across the EU by streamlining permit procedures and border crossings.
Digital documentation and better coordination between member states are also important elements. The goal is to reduce the time needed to deploy forces and equipment where they are required, without excessive administrative barriers.
Transport infrastructure is another key issue. Roads, bridges, railways and terminals need to be capable of handling heavy military equipment.
This may require modernising existing connections and taking defence requirements into account when planning new investments.
The infrastructure would also serve civilian purposes, potentially benefiting the economy and commercial transport.
"Military Schengen is like the circulatory system in our body," said Polish MEP Dariusz Joński, also a member of the EPP group. "If we cannot move equipment and soldiers quickly enough, we will not be able to defend ourselves. I am not talking only about Poland, but about all EU countries."
Zīle, a Latvian MEP from the European Conservatives and Reformists group, said military mobility was crucial for the security of NATO’s and the EU’s eastern flank, particularly in view of the threat from Russia.
The discussions also covered the use of available transport capacity, cooperation between countries and ways to improve military transport in regions of particular importance to the security of NATO’s eastern flank.
(pg/gs)