“Military Schengen”: Tear down barriers to rapid military response

The EPP calls for a “military Schengen” with simplified rules, upgraded transport infrastructure, and dedicated EU funding so that troops and military equipment can move quickly and seamlessly across Europe in times of crisis.

Many obstacles continue to hinder military mobility in Europe. Bridges are often too weak to carry heavy tanks or too low for military convoys to pass. Rail systems suffer from mismatched rail gauges. Massive bureaucracy is needed for military personnel and equipment to cross borders. Later today, the European Parliament will adopt a list of actions it proposes to address these problems.

"Transport infrastructure should be reinforced for both military and civil use and will also have to be made resilient against drone strikes, cyberattacks, or any other means of hostilities. For this, we need adequate funding from the next long-term EU budget. From the disembarkation in our ports in the West to potential deployment at the frontline in the East, we’ll have to make sure that we are ready and can act decisively whenever necessary", states Wouter Beke MEP, who negotiated Parliament's report on behalf of the EPP Group in the Security and Defence Committee. 

“We need a 'military Schengen' that would ensure the seamless movement of our armed forces and equipment across Europe. This means simplified rules, standardised regulations and closing the gaps in governance together with a one-stop-shop to handle the paperwork", says Dariusz Joński MEP, who negotiated the report on behalf of the EPP Group in the Transport Committee.