On Tuesday 11 December, the European Parliament called for more fluidity in the mobility of military personnel and equipment, to make it easier for them to move within and outside the EU.
In the report on military mobility by Tunne Kelam (EPP, Estonia), which they adopted by 437 votes to 155 with 63 abstentions, MEPs recall that military mobility is a "central strategic tool enabling the Union to work effectively in pursuit of its defence and security interests".
In their view, the achievement of military mobility depends above all on the commitment and political will of the Member States. For its part, the EU “must contribute to this by leading the process”. To this end, it must set up a framework for requirements, provide funding, draft protocols to facilitate the efficient movement of technical equipment and human resources, strengthen cooperation and serve as a forum for the exchange of good practices, information and experience involving civil and military authorities, say MEPs.
Military mobility requires the adaptation of transport infrastructure. According to Parliament, it is therefore necessary to evaluate and adapt the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for both civil and military use. MEPs call on the Commission to assess, by 31 December 2019 at the latest, military requirements, to list the parts of the transport network suitable for military transport and to indicate which infrastructure projects are priorities for dual-use conversion.
Parliament also supports the use of the European Interconnection Mechanism to implement dual-use military mobility projects and the funds earmarked for this purpose, in order to ensure that infrastructure is adapted to take into account civil and military needs.
Beyond infrastructure, it is “essential to harmonise cross-border and customs standards and regulations, such as administrative and legislative procedures”, say MEPs.
Finally, Parliament calls for the strengthening of relations between the EU and NATO, considering that, “to be successful, military mobility will require cooperation and coordination among all Allies”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)