Last week, the European Commission and the High Representative presented a new Military Mobility Package, calling for stronger practical cooperation between civilian and military actors to ensure that Europe’s transport network remains robust, resilient, and ready.
The package is made up of:
- a new regulatory proposal; and
- a joint strategic communication setting out longer-term objectives.
Together, these introduce measures to streamline cross-border authorisations, accelerate the digitalisation of procedures (including the EU Form 302), strengthen dual-use transport infrastructure, and improve access to transport and logistics capacity through a future Solidarity Pool.
The ambition to earmark EUR 17.7 billion for military mobility under the next Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) highlights the scale of investment needed to deliver these objectives.
Strong Recognition of the Transport Sector
The package clearly recognises the essential role of the transport and logistics sectors.
Key elements reflected in the package include:
- improved compatibility between civilian and military transport rules, notably for dangerous goods, exceptional loads, cabotage, and traffic restrictions;
- predictable escalation levels under the European Military Mobility Enhanced Response System (EMERS);
- further digitalisation of customs and clearance processes;
- a stronger focus on cybersecurity and energy security; and
- solidarity mechanisms to ensure that available transport capacity can be deployed where it is most needed.