“An important step forward, but we are not there yet,” said Lieutenant Colonel Harold Hummel, staff officer for military mobility at the Directorate for Operational Readiness Management (DAOG). “Further harmonization across the European continent should lead to a kind of military Schengen area.”
Within the CNE MMA, Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are joining forces. The initiative builds on the cooperation between the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, which launched the so-called Military Mobility Model Corridor in January 2024.
The Letter of Intent was signed by the 8 countries. It reflects the shared commitment to deepen cooperation and align with the broader priorities of the European Union and NATO. This work aims to strengthen military mobility, interoperability, and collective defense.
The participating countries collaborate to:
- simplify and harmonize procedures for military movements;
- improve infrastructure and better coordinate planning;
- strengthen information exchange and coordination;
- enhance digital processes; and
- work more closely with the EU and NATO to increase strategic and operational readiness.
The CNE MMA serves as a model for future regional initiatives. It contributes to the broader European goal of a Joint European Military Mobility Area: an integrated network where troops and equipment can move quickly and safely within Europe.
On behalf of the Netherlands, Deputy Chief of Materiel Readiness, Commander Han van Bussel, signed the letter of intent. This confirms the Netherlands leading role in military mobility within Europe. “The ability to quickly deploy troops is an important step in further deterrence as part of the broader European security framework,” said van Bussel.