The Council of the European Union has granted approval for Switzerland’s request to join the PESCO project Military Mobility, commonly known as the “Military Schengen”.
According to the EU Council, Switzerland’s involvement aligns with the established criteria and will contribute substantial value to the project. The Netherlands, serving as the coordinator, is now empowered to formally extend an invitation to Switzerland. Upon the completion of the requisite administrative processes, Switzerland will officially be recognized as a member of the Military Schengen.
The initiative bolsters the commitment of member states to streamline and standardize procedures for cross-border military transport. Its objective is to facilitate the seamless movement of military personnel and assets throughout the EU. This involves minimizing lengthy bureaucratic processes for transit across or over EU member states, whether by rail, road, air, or sea.
The project focuses on two primary aspects. The first aspect pertains to the elimination of bureaucratic obstacles, including passport inspections and the necessity for prior notification. Although NATO can deploy troops more swiftly in emergencies, peacetime operations often mandate advance notice for various troop movements; for instance, relocating US forces from Poland to Germany necessitates a five-day notice period.
The second aspect concerns infrastructure limitations, including roads and bridges that are inadequate for heavy equipment, tunnels that are undersized, and airstrips that cannot support larger aircraft.
Participation by third countries is permitted only under exceptional circumstances, requiring them to fulfil specific political, legal, and other criteria, including a commitment to democratic principles. In 2021, Canada, Norway, and the United States were invited to join, followed by the United Kingdom in 2022.
In the spring of 2023, Switzerland began to explore the possibility of joining the military Schengen and submitted its application in September 2024. Additionally, last summer, Switzerland contemplated reassessing its neutrality policy in light of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. An expert group from the defence ministry has advocated for strengthening military relations with NATO and the European Union.
