Renew Europe strongly welcomes the legislative package on military mobility presented by the European Commission, aiming to create an EU-wide military mobility area by 2027.
Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the urgent need to facilitate rapid cross-border movement of troops and equipment throughout the Union to strengthen deterrence and defence. With Member States sharing external borders with Russia and Belarus under direct security threat, the EU must be ready to act in coordination with NATO along all its external borders.
As the rapporteur on the military mobility initiative report to be jointly voted next Monday by the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), Renew is ensuring strong parliamentary leadership on this critical issue.
The report will echoe the Commission's priorities while firmly advocating for European preference in procurement and investments that will benefit European industry and citizens through dual-use infrastructure.
Given the current threats, obstacles to military mobility in Europe are no longer acceptable. Rail, road, air and port infrastructure remains inadequate: bridges unable to support more than 60 tonnes, airport runways too short, 45-day notification periods for convoys crossing borders. Transporting military equipment between countries takes weeks when urgency is measured in hours.
"The indivisibility of European security requires a rapid and efficient response to emerging challenges and threats, highlighting the need for a new approach to military mobility. The European Parliament is calling for a comprehensive review of the military mobility strategy, emphasising simplified, harmonised, uniform and digitalised procedures; seamless cross-border cooperation; and investments that meet the real needs of all Member States along the four EU priority military mobility corridors: the Northern, the Eastern, the Central Southern, and the Central Northern Corridor. The EU cannot afford delayed, national-level decisions; we must act as a genuine Defence Union with a fully functioning military Schengen."
Petras AuštrevičiusRenew Europe MEP, Lithuania, Liberalų Sąjūdis
states Petras Auštrevičius (Liberalų sąjūdis, Lithuania), EP rapporteur for the SEDE committee.
The next financial framework proposes over €17 billion in military mobility investments that Renew will firmly support. Meanwhile, reallocated cohesion funds can be used by the Member States and the SAFE instrument is there also to finance dual-use projects.
Valérie Devaux (UDI, France), Renew shadow rapporteur for the TRAN committee adds:
"Given the international situation, the difficulties the EU faces regarding military mobility are no longer acceptable. We must strengthen our defence capabilities and our industrial competitiveness. The legislative package presented today is an important step towards a “military Schengen.” It will make it possible to move troops and military equipment across Europe more quickly and in a more coordinated way.
We will continue to advocate, in the European Parliament, for the establishment of a clear European preference in the procurement of military equipment. These investments must benefit the European economy and sovereignty as a priority."
Valérie DevauxRenew Europe MEP, France, Union des Démocrates et Indépendants