EU MEPs call for “military Schengen” to counter Russia, accelerate troop movement

Members of the European Parliament have called for the removal of internal barriers to the movement of troops and military equipment across the EU, alongside major upgrades to key transport infrastructure.

The push comes amid heightened security concerns following Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, with MEPs stressing that military mobility is essential not only for the EU’s collective defence but also for the security of eastern member states, including Poland and the Baltic countries, Caliber.Az reports via the European Parliament.

The Parliament welcomed the European Commission’s proposal to increase the military mobility budget to more than €17 billion in the next long-term EU budget, while warning against any cuts. MEPs recalled that in the 2021-2027 budget, funding for military mobility had been slashed by 75%.

They also highlighted the need to upgrade around 500 infrastructure “hotspots”, including bridges, tunnels, and key roads, estimating costs of at least €100 billion, and urged the Commission to simplify funding procedures for dual-use projects that benefit both civilian and military transport.

Although progress has been made, MEPs said significant administrative and financial obstacles remain, meaning it can take over a month to move military equipment across the EU. They called for greater investment along the bloc’s four military mobility corridors and the adoption of digital solutions to accelerate cross-border approvals.

They proposed establishing a “military Schengen area”, supported by a dedicated task force and a European coordinator, with the Commission providing a clear roadmap for implementation.

The resolution also stressed the importance of military mobility for EU-NATO cooperation, calling for joint exercises and stress tests to identify and remove obstacles. MEPs suggested that rapid reaction forces should be able to cross internal EU borders within three days in peacetime and within 24 hours during a crisis.

European Parliament co-rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, Lithuania) said: “To maintain Europe’s strength and ability to deter aggressors, it is crucial we demonstrate our readiness to act. Overcoming administrative burdens and developing dual-use infrastructure is not a luxury, but a necessity.”

His counterpart, Roberts Zīle (ECR, Latvia), added: “There are far too many hindrances to military mobility that could be quickly addressed without 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.”

The resolution was adopted by 493 votes to 127, with 38 abstentions, and MEPs on the Transport and Defence Committees will now begin legislative work on the military mobility package proposed by the European Commission in November.

By Aghakazim Guliyev