By signing a Letter of Intent (LoI) in Brussels, eight European countries have taken a significant step towards improving military mobility and operational readiness. The newly established Central Northern European Military Mobility Area (CNE MMA) will ensure that troops and material can be deployed across borders more quickly, easily and efficiently in future.

Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are joining forces in the CNE MMA. The project builds on the Military Mobility Model Corridor initiative launched by Germany, Poland and the Netherlands in January 2024 and is now expanding it into a broader regional network.

Military mobility - ©Mediacentrum Defensie
Representatives from Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic signed the new agreement.

“An important step forward, but we are not there yet,” emphasized Lieutenant Colonel Harold Hummel, Staff Officer for Military Mobility at the Dutch Directorate for Operational Readiness (DAOG). The goal is further harmonization in Europe – all the way to a “military Schengen area”.

The signed declaration of intent confirms the common goal of further deepening cooperation and closely aligning it with the priorities of the EU and NATO priorities. The focus here is on increased military mobility, greater interoperability and an improved collective defense capability.

The new cooperation format focuses in particular on:

  • the simplification and harmonization of approval and installation procedures,
  • the expansion and better coordination of military-relevant infrastructure,
  • closer information, planning and coordination work,
  • the acceleration of digital processes and
  • more intensive cooperation with the EU and NATO to increase strategic and operational responsiveness.

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The CNE MMA is seen as a model for other regional initiatives and supports the overarching goal of a Joint European Military Mobility Area – an integrated network across Europe that enables rapid and secure troop movements.

Commodore Han van Bussel signed on behalf of the Netherlands: “Being able to deploy troops quickly is a central component of credible deterrence within the European security structure.”

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